Federal Register #29749

Permit Application for Filming Bottlenose Dolphins in South Carolina Waters

This opportunity concerns a permit application to NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service for filming bottlenose dolphins in South Carolina waters: - Government Buyer: - National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), part of NOAA under the Department of Commerce - Applicants: - BBC Natural History Unit - Factual Productions Limited (represented by Victoria Webb) - Products/Services Requested: - Permit for commercial or educational photography of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops sp.) - Activities include filming strand feeding behaviors for a television series (Americas II) - Use of up to two vessels and an unmanned aircraft system for behavioral observation and filming - Up to 1,260 dolphins may be approached annually - Unique/Notable Requirements: - Permit valid through November 2027 - Activity is categorically excluded from environmental assessment under NEPA - No procurement of products or services; this is a request for permission to conduct photography activities - No OEMs or vendors are involved, as this is not a product or service procurement

Description

The BBC Natural History Unit and Factual Productions Limited, represented by Victoria Webb, has applied for a permit to conduct commercial or educational photography on bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops sp.) in the waters of South Carolina. The project involves filming strand feeding behaviors of these dolphins for a television series titled Americas II. Filmmakers plan to approach up to 1,260 dolphins annually using up to two vessels and operate an unmanned aircraft system for behavioral observations and filming. The permit would be valid through November 2027. The activity is categorically excluded from the requirement to prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement under the National Environmental Policy Act.

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