Document

Marine Mammals; File No. 29749

Notice is hereby given that the BBC Natural History Unit and Factual Productions Limited, (Responsible Party: Victoria Webb), Bridgewater House, Counterslip, Redcliffe, Bristol,...

PDF version FederalRegister.gov

Department of Commerce

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XF823]

AGENCY:

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

ACTION:

Notice; receipt of application.

( printed page 32010)

SUMMARY:

Notice is hereby given that the BBC Natural History Unit and Factual Productions Limited, (Responsible Party: Victoria Webb), Bridgewater House, Counterslip, Redcliffe, Bristol, BS1 6BX, United Kingdom, has applied in due form for a permit to conduct commercial or educational photography on bottlenose dolphins ( Tursiops sp.).

DATES:

Written comments must be received on or before June 29, 2026.

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. 29749 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:

Amy Hapeman or Erin Markin, 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.) and the regulations governing the taking and importing of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216).

The applicant proposes to film the strand feeding behaviors of bottlenose dolphins in the waters of South Carolina for a television series, “Americas II”. Filmmakers would approach up to 1,260 dolphins annually by vessel for behavioral observations, filming, and the operation of an unmanned aircraft system. Up to two vessels would target a group of dolphins at a time. The permit would be valid through November 2027.

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 26, 2026.

Shannon Bettridge,

Chief, Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.

[FR Doc. 2026-10710 Filed 5-28-26; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

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Federal Register Citation

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91 FR 32009

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“Marine Mammals; File No. 29749,” thefederalregister.org (May 29, 2026), https://thefederalregister.org/documents/2026-10710/marine-mammals-file-no-29749.