[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 188 (Monday, September 28, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Page 60767]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-21334]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XA500]


Marine Mammals; File No. 23807

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

ACTION: Notice; receipt of application for permit amendment.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Plimsoll Productions Limited, 51-
55 Whiteladies Road, Bristol, BS8 2LY, United Kingdom (Responsible 
Party: Anuschka Schofield), has applied for an amendment to Permit No. 
23807.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before October 28, 2020

ADDRESSES: These documents are available upon written request via email 
to [email protected].
    Written comments on this application should be submitted via email 
to [email protected]. Please include File No. 23807 in the 
subject line of the email comment.
    Those individuals requesting a public hearing should submit a 
written request via email to [email protected]. The request 
should set forth the specific reasons why a hearing on this application 
would be appropriate.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject amendment to Permit No. 23807 is 
requested 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. 23807, issued on June 11, 2020 (85 FR 35637), authorizes 
the permit holder to film bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) by 
land, vessel, and unmanned aircraft systems in coastal waters off of 
Charleston County, South Carolina, for a wildlife documentary series 
that reveals the unique behaviors and adaptations that set different 
families of animals apart. The permit holder is requesting the permit 
be amended to include authorization to increase the number of 
bottlenose dolphins that can be filmed from 630 to 720, annually. In 
addition, the permit holder is requesting to expand the filming area to 
up to 3 miles offshore from Charleston County. The expanded study area 
and increased takes will allow the permit holder to film dolphins 
feeding near shrimp boats, another adaptive behavior. The permit 
expires on December 31, 2024.
    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 this application to the Marine 
Mammal Commission and its Committee of Scientific Advisors.

    Dated: September 23, 2020.
Julia Marie Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-21334 Filed 9-25-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P