[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 55 (Wednesday, March 22, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17184-17185]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-05866]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XC841]


Marine Mammals; File No. 27193

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 MeatEater, Inc., 1203 N. Rouse 
St., Suite 3E, Bozeman, MT 59715 (Responsible Party: Jason Roehrig), 
has applied in due form for a permit to conduct commercial and 
educational photography on marine mammals.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before April 21, 2023.

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. 27193 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: Carrie Hubard or Sara Young, (301) 
427-8401.

[[Page 17185]]


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 marine mammals while documenting 
activities of Alaska Natives (with their permission) near Craig, 
Alaska. The goal is to film a harbor seal (Phoca vitulina) hunt and the 
annual herring spawning for a short film and episode of MeatEater's 
``Cal in the Field,'' which will be available on their website and the 
MeatEater YouTube Channel. Up to 1000 harbor seals, 50 Steller sea 
lions of the eastern Distinct Population Segment (Eumetopias jubatus), 
and 50 killer whales (Orcinus orca) may be filmed from land, boats, 
unmanned aircraft systems, snorkelers, and pole cameras. The filmmakers 
will film the seal hunt and the processing of the carcass, but will not 
interfere or participate in the activities. During the herring 
spawning, native Alaskans collect the fish eggs while many marine 
mammals also visit the area to feed on the eggs. Filming would occur 
over approximately 10 days from March through July. The permit would 
expire in July 2025.
    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: March 17, 2023.
Julia M. Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-05866 Filed 3-21-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P