[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 108 (Tuesday, June 5, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Page 33198]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-13573]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XB110


Marine Mammals; File No. 17159

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

ACTION: Notice; issuance of permit.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that a permit has been issued to Simon 
Nash, Parthenon Entertainment Ltd, 34 Whiteladies Road, Bristol, BS8 
2LG, United Kingdom, to conduct commercial or educational photography 
on spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris).

ADDRESSES: The permit and related documents are available for review 
upon written request or by appointment in the following offices:

Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 
1315 East-West Highway, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910; phone 
(301) 427-8401; fax (301) 713-0376; and
Pacific Islands Region, NMFS, 1601 Kapiolani Blvd., Rm 1110, Honolulu, 
HI 96814-4700; phone (808) 944-2200; fax (808) 973-2941.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carrie Hubard or Kristy Beard, (301) 
427-8401.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On March 26, 2012, notice was published in 
the Federal Register (77 FR 17458) that a request for a permit to 
conduct commercial/educational photography on spinner dolphins had been 
submitted by the above-named applicant. The requested permit has been 
issued under the authority 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),
    Permit No. 17159 authorizes Mr. Nash to take spinner dolphins 
during filming near Midway Atoll in the Pacific Ocean. Filming 
techniques include above water from a vessel, a pole-mounted underwater 
camera, and a waterproof camera used by a snorkeling cameraman. Up to 
1,300 dolphins may be approached annually during filming activities. 
Footage will be used primarily for a television documentary about 
Hawaiian wildlife that would be aired on Animal Planet in the U.S. and 
elsewhere internationally. The initial filming period is scheduled for 
two weeks in June/July 2012. The permit expires on May 31, 2017.
    In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
(42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), a final determination has been made that the 
activity proposed is categorically excluded from the requirement to 
prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement.

    Dated: May 30, 2012.
Tammy C. Adams,
Acting Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-13573 Filed 6-4-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P