[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 64 (Tuesday, April 2, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 14556]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-7989]



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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
[I.D. 032596E]


Marine Mammals and Endangered Species

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Receipt of application for a commercial photography permit 
(P604).

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Mr. Andrew Byatt, Great Natural 
Journeys, Natural History Unit, BBC, Whiteladies Road, Bristol, England 
BS8 2LR, has applied in due form for a permit to take several species 
of marine mammals for photographic purposes.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before April 29, 1996.

ADDRESSES: The application and related documents are available for 
review upon written request or by appointment in the following 
office(s):
    Permits Division, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-
West Highway, Room 13130, Silver Spring, MD 20910 (301/713-2289); and
    Director, Southwest Region, NMFS, 501 West Ocean Boulevard, Suite 
4200, Long Beach, CA 90802 (310/980-4001).
    Written data or views, or requests for a public hearing on this 
request, should be submitted to the Chief, Permits Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13130, Silver 
Spring, MD 20910. Those individuals requesting a hearing should set 
forth the specific reasons why a hearing on this particular request 
would be appropriate.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carol Fairfield or Trevor Spradlin, 
Permits Division, 301/713-2289.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject permit is requested under the 
authority of section 104(c)(6) of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 
1972, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), and the Regulations 
Governing the Taking and Importing of Marine Mammals (50 CFR part 216). 
Section 104(c)(6) provides for photography for educational or 
commercial purposes involving non-endangered and non-depleted marine 
mammals in the wild. NMFS is currently working on proposed regulations 
to implement this provision. However, in the meantime, NMFS has 
received and is processing this request as a ``pilot'' application for 
Level B Harassment of non-listed and non-depleted marine mammals for 
photographic purposes. The applicant seeks authorization to photograph 
the following marine mammals: Gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus); 
California sea lions (Zalophus californianus); and Northern elephant 
seals (Mirounga angustirostris). The applicant proposes to initiate 
this work in the spring of 1996.
    Concurrent with the publication of this notice in the Federal 
Register, NMFS is forwarding copies of this application to the Marine 
Mammal Commission and its Committee of Scientific Advisors.

    Dated: March 26, 1996.
Ann D. Terbush,
Chief, Permits and Documentation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 96-7989 Filed 3-28-96; 2:14 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F