Electronic Vessel Trip Reporting Software Options

Software options for submitting your eVTRs in the Greater Atlantic Region.

New England/Mid-Atlantic

You may choose to use any of the following appropriate software apps to submit your eVTRs. If an application is authorized for multiple regions such as Greater Atlantic, Southeast, or Highly Migratory Species, submitting one report using that application will make you compliant with the reporting requirements for each region.

If you are new to eVTR reporting, click How Do I Get Started With eVTRs? in order to learn the process.

eVTR App Authorization Summary

PROGRAM			GARFO					SERO	Atlantic HMS
Application	Developer	Platform Compatibility	Commercial	For-Hire	Recreational Tilefish	ITQ Clams	American Lobster & Jonah Crab	For Hire	Charter/ Head-Boat And Angling Permits
Fish Online iOS	GARFO	iOS	X	X	X	X
Fish Online Web*	GARFO	Web browser on a device with Android, Windows 10, or iOS Internet connection not required during trip	X	X	X	X	X		X
eTrips Mobile v2	ACCSP/Harbor Light Software	iOS, Android, Windows 10	X	X	X		X	X	X
eTrips Online	ACCSP/Harbor Light Software	Web browser Internet connection required during trip	X	X	X		X		X
Efin	Harbor Light Software	iOS, Android			X
Deckhand Pro	Real Time Data	iOS iPad	X	X	X
VESL	Bluefin Data (GARFO Version)	Chromebook, iOS, Android	X	X	X		Maine-based vessels only (See Special Note for VESL)
FACTS (sector use only)	Electric Edge	Windows 7 and newer	X

* Fish Online Web does not work with Internet Explorer

NOTE: Be aware that applications that work on iOS (iPhone or iPad), Android (phone or tablet), and Windows 10 do not require an Internet connection at sea. An internet connection (WiFi or cell network) is required in order to submit the report.

GARFO: Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office

NEFSC: Northeast Fisheries Science Center

ACCSP: Atlantic Coastal Cooperative Statistics Program

SERO: Southeast Regional Office

HMS: Highly Migratory Species

GARFO: Fish Online

Fish Online provides cross-platform electronic reporting of fishing activity data. Fish Online offers two different options for electronic reporting:

Fish Online eVTR App for iOS
Fish Online Web App

1. Fish Online eVTR App for iOS

App Will Be Discontinued on January 31, 2025

Use the Fish Online eVTR App for iOS on Apple tablets and iPhones. Download the app from the Apple store by searching for "NOAA Fish Online”.

NOTE: Fish Online iOS app does not support lobster reporting.

2. Fish Online Web App

Access the Fish Online Web App using Safari, Chrome, or Mozilla. Sign in to the Fish Online webpage using your username and password. From that screen, navigate to the VTR / IVR Reporting menu on the left and click on that option. That will bring you to the web app. You may use it in a web browser or use the Install option to install the app directly onto your computer, phone, or tablet. When you use the installed app, you may complete your trip report without an internet connection; however, an internet connection is required to submit the data.

Using REACT for Lobster

To use the Fish Online REACT Web App to report fishing and lobster trips, do the following:

Log in.
- Open a web browser (Safari on iOS, Chrome or default browser on Android) and navigate to the Fish Online Login Web Page.
- Enter your login credentials and click Log In.
Select Vessel/Operator
- Once logged in, select the vessel or vessel operator permit for which you're reporting the trip.
Access Trip Reporting
- From your Vessel/Operator Profile page, tap or click MENU (usually top left corner) and then select Submit a Vessel Trip Report. A second login page appears.
IMPORTANT: Re-enter Your Login Credentials:
- Re-enter your login credentials here. This is a one-time step.
Add the REACT Web App to Your Home Screen (Platform-specific)
- Refer to the appropriate section immediately following to learn how to add the app to your Home Screen.

For iOS

Tap the Share icon (usually an icon with a square and upward arrow at the bottom of your Safari screen).
Scroll down and tap Add to Home Screen.

OPTIONAL: Name the shortcut (for example, "Fish Online App"), and then tap Add.

For Android

Look at the bottom of the page for a button labeled Install or something similar.
Tap the button to add the app to your home screen.

Important Notes

Internet access is required for the first-time login (both iOS and Android).
You can enter trip data offline on both iOS and Android, but submitting the report requires internet access.
If the user hasn't logged out of the app, it should work as normal until the submission process.
If the user wants to use the app without an internet connection, do not log out after each use. Remaining logged in will enable the use of the app without an internet connection.
Viewing past reports (historical, accepted, submitted) requires internet access on both iOS and Android.

GARFO Fish Online Requirements

Vessel operators (non-owners) must have a Fish Online user account to use any of the Fish Online applications.
Vessel owners must have a Fish Online user account to access the Fish Online system and to use the Fish Online eVTR applications.
You can access Fish Online by using the current version of the Chrome, Firefox, or Safari web-browser.
For assistance or to obtain NOAA Fish Online log-in information, call (978) 281-9188 or email the GARFO Vessel Reporting Helpdesk.
How to Create a Fish Online Account and Link to a Vessel

ACCSP: eTrips

SAFIS eTrips provides cross-platform electronic reporting of fishing activity data. eTrips offers two different options for electronic reporting:

eTrips/mobile v2
eTrips Online

1. eTrips/mobile v2

Use eTrips/mobile v2 on smart phones and tablets on both Apple and Android platforms, and also on PCs and laptops running Windows 10.

Download the application to your tablet from the Apple App Store, Google Play Store, or Microsoft Store (Start Menu).
Tips for Completing a For-Hire eVTR on the eTrips/Mobile v.2 App
For assistance or to obtain SAFIS log-in information, call the eTrips Helpdesk at (800) 984-0810 or email SAFIS eTrips Support.

2. eTrips Online

Use eTrips Online on any internet browser; eTrips Online is the web version of ACCSP’s eTrips app.

eTrips Online requires an Internet connection at all times.
Access eTrips Online through the SAFIS portal on the ACCSP web site.
For assistance or to obtain log-in information, call the eTrips Helpdesk at (800) 984-0810 or email SAFIS eTrips Support.

Harbor Light Software: eFIN

eFIN provides electronic reporting of fishing activity data for federally-permitted private recreational tilefish vessels. Use eFIN on smart phones and tablets on both the Apple and Android platforms.

Download the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
Tips for Completing an eFIN Recreational Tilefish eVTR
For eFIN assistance, call the Harbor Light Helpdesk at (800) 984-0810 or email eFIN support.
To log on to eFIN, use NOAA Fish Online log-in information, call (978) 281-9188, or email GARFO Vessel Reporting Helpdesk to create a Fish Online account.

Real Time Data: Deckhand Pro

Deckhand Pro provides electronic reporting of fishing activity data on iPads.

Download the app onto your iPad from the Apple App Store.
To log in to Deckhand, use your NOAA Fish Online credentials in conjunction with your Deckhand account.
For Deckhand assistance, use the Contact Deckhand Support menu option within the app, visit the Deckhand webpage and click Contact Us, or contact Deckhand via telephone at (888) 210-3117.
Create a Deckhand account using the Deckhand app.
For assistance with your Fish Online credentials, call (978) 281-9188 or email the GARFO Vessel Reporting Helpdesk.
Click here for information about instructional webinars for Deckhand Pro.

Bluefin Data: VESL

VESL provides electronic reporting of fishing activity data for federally-permitted vessels.

For use on Chromebooks, iOS, and Android devices as well as online reporting.
Download the Chromebook and Android app from the Google Play Store.
Download the iOS app from the Apple App Store.
To log in to VESL, use your NOAA Fish Online account.
For instructions and assistance using VESL, contact support@bluefindata.com.
For assistance with your Fish Online credentials, call (978) 281-9188 or email the GARFO Vessel Reporting Helpdesk.

Special Note for VESL

VESL is an approved GARFO eVTR app but for standard eVTR reporting only, not lobster. Only Maine-based lobster harvesters may use the VESL app to submit their lobster eVTRs. At this time, harvesters outside of Maine are limited to the Fish Online Web App and eTrips apps to report their lobster trips.

Electric Edge Systems: FACTS^TM (Fishing Activity and Catch Tracking System)

FACTS provides electronic reporting for federally-permitted vessels fishing commercially, with a focus on Multispecies (Groundfish) Sectors.

Available on desktop computers and laptops running Windows 7 and newer.
For more information and instructions to download, please contact info@fisheryfacts.com or call (250) 920-8830.

More Information

Vessel Trip Reporting in the Greater Atlantic Region

Last updated by Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office on 08/26/2024