The FACT Network
A grassroots collaboration of marine scientists using acoustic telemetry and other technologies to better understand and conserve our region’s important fish and sea turtle species.
Image Credit: David B. Snyder
Where We Work
Simply known as the FACT Network, we have partners from the Bahamas to the Carolinas.
We are growing everyday and our partners have acoustic receivers deployed along a continuum of habitats including tidal rivers, estuaries, ocean inlets, the surf zone, as well as offshore coral reefs and wrecks.
Coral dots are acoustic receiver deployments registered in the FACT data node from 2007 to the present. We overlap with the ACT _MATOS Network and the iTAG Network.
FACT By the Numbers
61 Member Organizations and 302 Members
140 Species Studied
10,000+ Animals Tagged
2,600+ Tracking Stations
65+ Publications
Our Purpose
FACT Network partners collectively track tagged animals and share the data network-wide. Working together enhances our understanding of the behaviors and habitat needs of coastal fishes and sea turtles.
Expand the Scale and Cost Effectiveness of Behavioral Studies Through Partnerships and Data Sharing
Encourage New Projects and Student Involvement with an Inclusive Research Atmosphere
Communicate Findings to Policy Makers and the Public to Guide Coastal Management Decisions
Follow us and stay updated with our latest news, real-time field updates from our network, and more!
InstagramFACT in Action
View our members in action tagging Tripletail in the Gulf of Mexico and collecting genetic samples.
News
Your detections are in - log in & explore!
New FACT detection data is live! FACT members should log in to Research Workspace to find their latest animal detection data. Check out our page below for more information on understanding your data extracts.
World Fish Migration Day - October 24th!
Today we celebrate the journeys of sharks and other fish in our coastal waters! FACT Network researchers track where animals go after tagging, revealing migration patterns, habitat use, and responses to environmental change. Explore recent 2025 FACT publications uncovering the hidden movements of marine life.
Happy International Sawfish Day - October 17th!
Did you know that all 5 species of sawfish are critically endangered? International Sawfish Day brings awareness to this species, their needs, and the threats they still face. Multiple groups within the FACT Network work on these important animals. Follow the link to learn more about the research on smalltooth sawfish at Florida State University.
October Data Push
Happy Fall! Our next data deadline is approaching fast on October 1st! Remember to check out our data pages on a refresher on how to submit data and our latest data form templates.
FACT Loaner Program
Are you a FACT member in need of some receivers? Why not apply for our loaner program! We may not have our own receivers but we 'know a guy' (it's Ocean Tracking Network - they help us out). Learn more below!
Annual FACT Meeting - February 2025
Our annual FACT meeting was held on February 11-13, 2025 in Jensen Beach, FL. Check out our meetings page to see the highlights and a link to the sporeg workshop!
OTN Study Hall
Got acoustic telemetry data analysis or R questions? Check out Ocean Tracking Network’s Data Study Hall on Thursdays at 1 pm eastern!
Get Involved
Interested in joining FACT as a scientific member or partner? Learn more here.