[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 215 (Tuesday, November 8, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Page 67451]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-24294]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XC519]


Marine Mammals; File No. 27033

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 Underdogs Films, Ltd., 4th Floor 
Embassy House, Queen's Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1SB, United Kingdom (Tom 
Stephens, Principal Investigator), 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 8, 2022.

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. 27033 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: Jennifer Skidmore and Sara Young, 
(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 exhibiting 
wild behavior during their breeding season at the A[ntilde]o Nuevo 
State Reserve beaches. Filmmakers would conduct ground- based filming 
via tripod, gimbal, and remote vehicle, as well as aerial filming via 
vertical take-off and landing unmanned aircraft system. Up to 2,300 
elephant seals, 115 harbor seals (Phoca vitulina), and 115 northern fur 
seals (Callorhinus ursinus) may be harassed during filming. Filming 
would occur for no more than 23 days in January and February of 2023. 
The permit would be valid until February 28, 2023.
    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: November 2, 2022.
Amy Sloan,
Acting Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-24294 Filed 11-7-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P