[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 214 (Wednesday, November 4, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70130-70131]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-24432]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XA614]


Marine Mammals; File No. 24356

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 Plimsoll Productions, Whiteladies 
House, 51-55 Whiteladies Road, Bristol BS8 2LY, United Kingdom 
(Responsible Party: James Manisty), has applied in due form for a 
permit to conduct commercial or educational photography on northern 
elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris).

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before December 4, 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. 24356 in the 
subject line of the email comment.
    Those individuals requesting a public hearing should submit a 
written request via email to

[[Page 70131]]

[email protected]. The request should set forth the specific 
reasons why a hearing on this application would be appropriate.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sara Young or Shasta McClenahan, (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 northern elephant seals at 
A[ntilde]o Nuevo State Park in California. Footage would be used to 
create a documentary series for National Geographic that will be 
broadcast on multiple platforms in 2022. Up to 1,400 northern elephant 
seals would be filmed over the duration of the project from land or 
from unmanned aircraft systems. One hundred California sea lions 
(Zalophus californianus), 100 harbor seals (Phoca vitulina), and 100 
Steller sea lions from the eastern distinct population segment 
(Eumetopias jubatus) may be opportunistically filmed or harassed if 
encountered over the duration of the project. Filming is expected to 
occur over 4 weeks between January 2021 and March 2022, concentrated in 
the months of January and February. The permit would expire on March 1, 
2022.
    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: October 30, 2020.
Julia Marie Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-24432 Filed 11-3-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P