Marine Mammals; File No. 25520

AGENCY:

National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION:

Notice; receipt of application.

SUMMARY:

Notice is hereby given that the BBC Natural History and Factual Productions Ltd, Broadcasting House, Whiteladies Road, Bristol, BS8 2LR, United Kingdom (Responsible Party: Daniel Rasmussen), 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 April 22, 2021.

ADDRESSES:

These documents are available upon written request via email to NMFS.Pr1Comments@noaa.gov.

Written comments on this application should be submitted via email to NMFS.Pr1Comments@noaa.gov. Please include File No. 25520 in the subject line of the email comment.

Those individuals requesting a public hearing should submit a written request via email to NMFS.Pr1Comments@noaa.gov. 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, Ph.D., (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 and importing of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216).

The applicant proposes to film bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) to obtain footage for an episode of a wildlife series on mammals. Up to 400 animals may be filmed annually from a helicopter and up to 360 animals may be filmed annually from a vessel, a remotely operated vehicle, or unmanned aircraft system. The permit would expire on August 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 the application to the Marine Mammal Commission and its Committee of Scientific Advisors.