[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 94 (Friday, May 15, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Page 27928]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-11753]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
RIN 0648-XD939
Marine Mammals; File No. 19526
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 Adam White, BBC Natural History
Unit, The Limes, Lea, Malmesbury Wiltshire, SN16 9PG United Kingdom,
has applied in due form for a permit to conduct commercial or
educational photography on four species of cetaceans and five species
of pinnipeds.
DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or
before June 15, 2015.
ADDRESSES: These documents are available upon written request or by
appointment in the Permits and Conservation Division, Office of
Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13705, Silver
Spring, MD 20910; phone (301) 427-8401; fax (301) 713-0376.
Written comments on this application should be submitted to the
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, at the address listed above.
Comments may also be submitted by facsimile to (301) 713-0376, or by
email to [email protected]. Please include File No. 19526 in
the subject line of the email comment.
Those individuals requesting a public hearing should submit a
written request to the Chief, Permits and Conservation Division at the
address listed above. The request should set forth the specific reasons
why a hearing on this application would be appropriate.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carrie Hubard or Jennifer Skidmore,
(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 a variety of marine mammals along
the California coast from Point A[ntilde]o Nuevo south to the Channel
Islands. A maximum of 1000 long-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus
capensis), 1000 short-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus delphis), 1000
Risso's dolphins (Grampus griseus), 50 bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops
truncatus), 50 harbor seals (Phoca vitulina), and 1000 California sea
lions (Zalophus californianus) would be approached for filming. In
addition, up to 200 Northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris)
would be filmed while hauled out on land. Fifty Steller sea lions
(Eumetopias jubatus) and 50 Northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus)
may be incidentally harassed and filmed during operations. Cetaceans
would be filmed from boats and pole cameras. Pinnipeds would be filmed
from boats, pole cameras, underwater divers, and while hauled out on
land. Hydrophones would be used to record sounds. Footage would be used
for a Big Blue Live television series examining marine issues and
conservation successes along the coast of California. Filming would
occur July through September 2015. The permit would be valid until
September 30, 2015.
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: May 8, 2015.
Julia Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-11753 Filed 5-14-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P