Notice is hereby given that the BBC Natural History and Factual Productions Ltd., Bridgewater House, Counterslip, Redcliffe, Bristol BS1 6BX (Responsible Party: Briony Jones) ha...
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., Bridgewater House, Counterslip, Redcliffe, Bristol BS1 6BX (Responsible Party: Briony Jones) has applied in due form for a permit to conduct commercial and educational photography on pinnipeds.
DATES:
Written comments must be received on or before October 8, 2026.
ADDRESSES:
The application and related documents are available for review 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. 29915 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:
Sara Young 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 (16 U.S.C. 1361et seq.), the regulations governing the taking and importing of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216).
The applicant requests a 15-month permit to film grays seals on Monomoy Island for a documentary series. Up to 1,000 gray seals (
Halichoerus grypus) may be harassed during ground-based and uncrewed aircraft system filming and behavioral observations. Up to 23 hooded seals (
Cystophora cristata), 23, harp seals (
Pagophilus groenlandicus), and 23 harbor seals (
Phoca vitulina) may be unintentionally harassed, observed, and opportunistically filmed during these activities.
In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321et 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: September 3, 2026.
Larissa Plants,
Deputy Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
16 U.S.C. 1361
50 CFR part 216