Marine Mammals; File No. 23117
| Citation | 84 FR 45997 |
| Record Number | 2019-18865 |
| Published date | 03 September 2019 |
| Section | Notices |
| Court | National Oceanic And Atmospheric Administration |
Federal Register, Volume 84 Issue 170 (Tuesday, September 3, 2019)
[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 170 (Tuesday, September 3, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45997-45998]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-18865]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
RIN 0648-XR031
Marine Mammals; File No. 23117
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 BBC Worldwide Americas, 1120
Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10036 (Responsible Party: Orla
Doherty), has applied in due form for a permit to conduct commercial or
educational photography on Weddell seals (Leptonychotes weddellii),
minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) and killer whales (Orcinus
orca).
DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or
before October 3, 2019.
ADDRESSES: These documents are available upon written request or by
appointment in the Permits and Conservation Division, Office of
Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-
[[Page 45998]]
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 the File No. 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 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.), the regulations governing the taking
and importing of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216).
The applicant proposes to film Weddell seals near McMurdo Station,
Antarctica and to film killer and minke whales in ice leads of the Ross
Sea. Up to 800 Weddell seals could be filmed annually from tripods on
the ice, underwater divers, remotely operated underwater vehicles, pole
cameras, static underwater cameras, and unmanned aircraft systems
(UAS). A maximum of 200 minke whales and 500 killer whales could be
filmed annually using UAS, cameras on the ice, and underwater pole and
static cameras. Crabeater (Lobodon carcinophaga) and leopard (Hydrurga
leptonyx) seals may be incidentally harassed during filming. Footage
will be used for the Frozen Planet II television documentary series.
The permit would be valid until January 31, 2021.
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: August 27, 2019.
Julia Marie Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-18865 Filed 8-30-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
