[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 127 (Monday, July 2, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Page 30916]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-14106]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XG319


Marine Mammals; File Nos. 22292 and 22294

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

ACTION: Notice; receipt of applications.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Icon Films, 3rd Floor College 
House, 32-36 College Green, Bristol, BS1 5SP, United Kingdom 
(Responsible Party: Laura Marshall) (File No. 22292), and Plimsoll 
Productions, Whiteladies House, 51-55 Whiteladies Road, Clifton, 
Bristol, BS8 2LY, United Kingdom (Responsible Party: Bill Markham) 
(File No. 22294) have applied in due form for permits to conduct 
commercial or educational photography on marine mammals.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before August 1, 2018.

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 these applications 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 these applications would be appropriate.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject permits are 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).
    Icon Films (File No. 22292) proposes to film killer whales (Orcinus 
orca) and harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) in the waters off Seward, AK. 
Filmmakers may approach up to 100 killer whales to film from boats, 
pole cameras, or an unmanned aircraft system. Fifty harbor seals may be 
approached and filmed from a boat. The goal of the project is to obtain 
footage of killer whales feeding on Chinook salmon for use in a 
documentary television show to air on Animal Planet in 2019. The permit 
would be valid until August 30, 2018.
    Plimsoll Productions (File No. 22294) proposes to film bottlenose 
dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in and around Indian River Lagoon, the 
Banana River, and Mosquito Lagoon, FL. Filming would occur after 
sunset, from approximately 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. over 14 days in August and 
September 2018. Specialized cameras onboard a boat, attached to poles 
for underwater filming, and on an unmanned aircraft system would be 
used to film dolphins swimming through bioluminescence. Up to 84 
dolphins may be harassed during filming. The footage would be used in a 
wildlife documentary series about unique animal behaviors and 
adaptations to living in the dark. The permit would be valid until 
October 1, 2018.
    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 activities proposed are 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 applications to the Marine 
Mammal Commission and its Committee of Scientific Advisors.

    Dated: June 26, 2018.
Julia Marie Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-14106 Filed 6-29-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P