Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan’s Massachusetts Trap/Pot Restricted Area and the Great South Channel Trap/Pot Restricted Area

NOAA Fisheries has published an advance notice of proposed rulemaking to solicit comments on modifying the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan's Massachusetts Trap/Pot Restricted Area and the Great South Channel Trap/Pot Restricted Area to allow trap/pot fishing that does not use vertical buoy lines (referred to as buoy-lineless or ropeless gear) prior to gear retrieval. NOAA Fisheries is requesting comments on this possible action including whether opening these areas that are currently closed to trap/pot fishing would provide an economic benefit or incentive for buoy-lineless fishing development and to assess interest from industry for buoylineless fishing in these areas.