[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 246 (Monday, December 23, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Page 70500]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-27571]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XR076]


Marine Mammals; File No. 23577

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 the BBC Studios Ltd., Natural 
History Unit Productions, Broadcasting House, Whiteladies Road, 
Bristol, BS8 2LR, UK, (Responsible Party: Rowan Crawford), has applied 
in due form for a permit to conduct commercial or educational 
photography of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae).

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before January 22, 2020.

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 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: Amy Hapeman 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).
    The applicant proposes to film humpback whales in Hawaii to obtain 
footage for an episode of a wildlife television series focusing on 
female animal behavior. Up to 315 humpback whales will be targeted for 
filming using a vessel, underwater divers, and an unmanned aircraft 
system (UAS). Activities would include behavioral observations, 
photography/videography, UAS operation, and passive acoustic 
recordings. Filmmakers may incidentally harass up to 30 short-beaked 
common dolphins (Delphinus delphis), 60 bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops 
truncatus), 342 spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris), and 324 
short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus) during filming. 
The permit would expire on March 31, 2020.
    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: December 17, 2019.
Julia Marie Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-27571 Filed 12-20-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P