[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 5 (Friday, January 8, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Page 1481]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-00177]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XA786]


Marine Mammals; File No. 25417

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 Ed Charles, Silverback Films, 1 
St. Augustine's Yard, Gaunts Lane, Bristol, BS1 5DE, United Kingdom, 
has applied in due form for a permit to conduct commercial or 
educational photography on marine mammals.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before February 8, 2021.

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. 25417 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: Jordan Rutland 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.), the regulations governing the taking of 
marine mammals (50 CFR part 216), and the Fur Seal Act of 1966, as 
amended (16 U.S.C. 1151 et seq.).
    The applicant proposes to film marine mammals in California to 
obtain footage for a Netflix documentary series on the migration of 
gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus). Up to 600 gray whales, 672 killer 
whales (Orcinus orca), 200 harbor seals (Phoca vitulina), 1,000 
California sea lions (Zalophus californianus), 1,000 Pacific white-
sided dolphins (Lagenorhynchus obliquidens), 2,000 common bottlenose 
dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), 10 northern fur seals (Callorhinus 
ursinus), 150 Dall's porpoises (Phocoenoides dalli), 2,000 short-beaked 
common dolphins (Delphinus delphis), 1,000 long-beaked common dolphins 
(D. capensis), 1,000 northern right whale dolphins (Lissodelphis 
borealis), 1,000 Risso's dolphins (Grampus griseus), and 30 Steller sea 
lions (Eumetopias jubatus; Eastern distinct population segment) may be 
filmed annually from vessels, unmanned aircraft systems, or underwater 
divers. The permit would expire on May 20, 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: January 5, 2021.
Julia Marie Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-00177 Filed 1-7-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P