[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 11 (Tuesday, January 18, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2888-2889]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-932]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XA148


Marine Mammals; File No. 16000

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

ACTION: Notice; receipt of application.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Wild Horizons LTD, 59 Cotham Hill, 
Cotham, Bristol, BS6 6JR, United Kingdom, has applied in due form for a 
permit to conduct commercial or educational photography of bottlenose 
dolphins (Tursiops truncatus).

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or e-mail comments must be received on or 
before February 17, 2011.

ADDRESSES: The application and related documents are available for 
review upon written request or by appointment in the following offices:
    Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD 
20910; phone (301) 713-2289; fax (301) 713-0376;
    Southeast Region, NMFS, 263 13th Avenue South, Saint Petersburg, 
Florida 33701; phone (727) 824-5312; fax (727) 824-5309.
    Written comments on this application should be submitted to the 
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, at the address 
listed above. Comments may also be submitted by facsimile to (301) 713-
0376, or by e-mail to [email protected]. Please include File 
No. 16000 in the subject line of the e-mail comment.
    Those individuals requesting a public hearing should submit a 
written request to the Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education 
Division at the address listed above. The request should set forth the 
specific reasons why a hearing on this application would be 
appropriate.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joselyd Garcia-Reyes or Kristy Beard, 
(301)713-2289.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject permit is requested under the 
authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended 
(MMPA; 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-threatened marine mammals in 
the wild.
    Wild Horizons LTD requests a two-year photography permit to film 
bottlenose dolphin strand feeding events in the estuaries and creeks of 
Bull Creek and around Hilton Head, South Carolina. Filmmakers plan to 
use two filming platforms: An inflatable 21ft boat and a helicopter. Up 
to 2,500 dolphins annually may be approached and filmed. Filming would 
occur over three to four week session and would be completed by August 
2012. Footage would be used to create a 7-part television series, Wild 
Planet: North America, for the Discovery Channel. The premise of the 
series is to provide a definitive guide to the natural history of the 
North American Continent and have a dedicated episode to each biome.
    In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
(42

[[Page 2889]]

U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), an initial determination has been made that the 
activity proposed is categorically excluded from the requirement to 
prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement.
    Concurrent with the publication of this notice in the Federal 
Register, NMFS is forwarding copies of the application to the Marine 
Mammal Commission and its Committee of Scientific Advisors.

    Dated: January 11, 2011.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-932 Filed 1-14-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P