[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 94 (Friday, May 15, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Page 27928]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-11753]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XD939


Marine Mammals; File No. 19526

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 Adam White, BBC Natural History 
Unit, The Limes, Lea, Malmesbury Wiltshire, SN16 9PG United Kingdom, 
has applied in due form for a permit to conduct commercial or 
educational photography on four species of cetaceans and five species 
of pinnipeds.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before June 15, 2015.

ADDRESSES: These documents are available upon written request or by 
appointment in the 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.
    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 File No. 19526 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: Carrie Hubard or Jennifer Skidmore, 
(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).
    The applicant proposes to film a variety of marine mammals along 
the California coast from Point A[ntilde]o Nuevo south to the Channel 
Islands. A maximum of 1000 long-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus 
capensis), 1000 short-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus delphis), 1000 
Risso's dolphins (Grampus griseus), 50 bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops 
truncatus), 50 harbor seals (Phoca vitulina), and 1000 California sea 
lions (Zalophus californianus) would be approached for filming. In 
addition, up to 200 Northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris) 
would be filmed while hauled out on land. Fifty Steller sea lions 
(Eumetopias jubatus) and 50 Northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus) 
may be incidentally harassed and filmed during operations. Cetaceans 
would be filmed from boats and pole cameras. Pinnipeds would be filmed 
from boats, pole cameras, underwater divers, and while hauled out on 
land. Hydrophones would be used to record sounds. Footage would be used 
for a Big Blue Live television series examining marine issues and 
conservation successes along the coast of California. Filming would 
occur July through September 2015. The permit would be valid until 
September 30, 2015.
    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: May 8, 2015.
Julia Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-11753 Filed 5-14-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P