[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 240 (Friday, December 17, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Page 71624]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-27393]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XB629]


Marine Mammals; File No. 25498

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 Titan Productions, Limited, 51-55 
Whiteladies Road Bristol, BS8 2LY, United Kingdom (Responsible Party: 
Lucy Meadows), has applied for an amendment to Commercial and 
Educational Photography Permit No. 25498.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before January 18, 2022.

ADDRESSES: The application and related 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. 25498-01 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: Amy Hapeman or Carrie Hubard, (301) 
427-8401.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject amendment to Permit No. 25498 is 
requested under the authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 
1972, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), the regulations governing 
the taking and importing of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216).
    Permit No. 25498, issued on April 13, 2021 (86 FR 26014), 
authorizes the permit holder to film the natural behaviors of 
California sea lions (Zalophus californianus), gray whales 
(Eschrichtius robustus), and killer whales (Orcinus orca) as part of a 
wildlife documentary about the marine life along the Pacific Coast. 
Filming may occur topside from the vessel, underwater, and via an 
unmanned aircraft system in the waters of California and Alaska. The 
permit holder is requesting the permit be amended to authorize (1) a 
new filming area in Southern California waters; (2) an increase in the 
number of gray whales targeted for filming from 352 to 428 whales 
annually and California sea lions that may be opportunistically filmed 
from 70 to 105 sea lions annually for the new filming area; (3) the use 
of divers when filming gray whales underwater; and (4) the use of a 
towed camera when filming killer whales underwater. The permit would 
remain valid through December 31, 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 this application to the Marine 
Mammal Commission and its Committee of Scientific Advisors.

    Dated: December 7, 2021.
Julia M. Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-27393 Filed 12-16-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P