[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 165 (Friday, August 24, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51519-51520]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-20931]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XC184


Marine Mammals; File No. 17403

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

ACTION: Notice; receipt of application.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Robert Pilley, Leighside, Bridge 
Road, Leighwoods, Bristol, BS8 3PB, United Kingdom, has applied in due 
form for a permit to conduct commercial/educational photography on 
bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus).

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before September 24, 2012.

ADDRESSES: The application 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
    Southeast Region, NMFS, 263 13th Avenue South, Saint Petersburg, FL 
33701; phone (727) 824-5312; fax (727) 824-5309.
    Written comments on this application should be submitted to the 
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, at the address listed above. 
Comments may also be submitted by facsimile to (301) 713-0376, or by 
email to [email protected]. Please include the File No. in the 
subject line of the email comment.
    Those individuals requesting a public hearing should submit a 
written request to the Chief, Permits and Conservation 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: Colette Cairns or Carrie Hubard, (301) 
427-8401.

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.

[[Page 51520]]

    Mr. Pilley requests a five-year photography permit to film 
bottlenose dolphin strand-feeding events in the estuaries and creeks of 
Bull Creek and around Hilton Head, South Carolina, and mud-plume 
feeding events in the waters of the Florida Keys. Filmmakers plan to 
use three filming platforms: a static, remotely-operated camera placed 
on the mudflats, a radio-controlled camera helicopter, and a radio-
controlled camera boat. For both locations combined, up to 196 dolphins 
annually may be approached and filmed. Filming would occur over 14 days 
in each location. Footage would be used in two wildlife education 
documentaries: ``Earthflight 3D'', and ``Dolphins-Spy in the Pod'', 
both for the British Broadcasting Corporation and Discovery Channel.
    In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
(42 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: August 21, 2012.
Tammy C. Adams,
Acting Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-20931 Filed 8-23-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P