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NMFS may modify the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plans Massachusetts Trap/Pot Restricted Area and the Great South Channel Trap/Pot Restricted Area. Large whale entanglements resulting in serious injuries and mortalities still occur at levels that, for North Atlantic right whales, exceed the levels established by the Marine Mammal Protection Act. In accordance to recommendations from the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Team, NMFS believes modifications to the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan (Plan) are needed to meet the goals of the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Currently the plan has seasonal trap/pot closures in two areas: Massachusetts Restricted Area and the Great South Channel. This rulemaking would allow trap/pot fishing that does not use vertical buoy lines (referred to as buoy-lineless or ropeless gear) prior to gear retrieval in these areas. By opening these areas to allow this type of gear, it is expected that a portion of previously excluded fishermen will regain access to fishing grounds--potentially leading to revenue increase as well as additional to develop practical and economically feasible buoy lineless gear technologies and techniques. These technologies and techniques will provide long-term options for helping reduce large whale entanglements in the future.