Large whales are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and several species of whales are listed under the Endangered Species Act. With a dwindling population of less than 400, North Atlantic right whales are one of the most critically endangered species, and entanglement in lines associated with fishing gear remains a significant threat to this species’ survival. Reducing whale entanglements is therefore a priority for NOAA fisheries. As marine aquaculture expands, concerns that gear could introduce entanglement risks may limit industry growth. A number of ropeless technologies developed for use by the commercial fishing industry to reduce entanglement risk have conceptual value for integration within the aquaculture industry. This presentation discusses several varieties of ropeless technology for the bottom culture of scallops, mussels and oysters in the Northeastern United States and optimal environmental conditions for each species.