# 5713a - 2022 First-Class Forever Stamp - National Marine Sanctuaries: Balloon Fish
US #5713a
2022 Balloonfish – National Marine Sanctuaries
- Pictures the balloonfish, one of many creatures protected by America’s National Marine Sanctuaries
- One of 16 stamps in the National Marine Sanctuaries set
Stamp Category: Commemorative
Set: National Marine Sanctuaries
Value: 60¢ First Class Mail Rate (Forever)
First Day of Issue: August 5, 2022
First Day City: Santa Cruz, California
Quantity Issued: 38,000,000
Printed by: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd.
Printing Method: Offset
Format: Panes of 16
Tagging: Nonphosphored type III, block tagged
Why the stamp was issued: To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the National Marine Sanctuary System.
About the stamp design: Pictures a photograph of a balloonfish taken in one of America’s National Marine Sanctuaries.
First Day City: The First Day of Issue Ceremony was held at the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center in Santa Cruz, California.
About the National Marine Sanctuaries set: A set of 16 mint stamps picturing photographs from America’s National Marine Sanctuary System. These stamps were issued to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the National Marine Sanctuary System and the many creatures and historic relics protected by it.
History the stamp represents: The National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa is located between Hawai’i and New Zealand and includes over 13,500 square miles of protected waters. It consists of five volcanic islands and two coral atolls. The islands are: Tutuila, Aunu’u, Ofu, Olosega, and Ta’u. The two coral atolls are Rose Atoll and Swains Island.
The people of American Samoa have populated the region for 3,000 years – the longest of any culture in Polynesia. The National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa respects the cultural traditions of the locals while still working to protect the flora and fauna of nearby marine habitats.
Perhaps the most important subject of concern for the National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa is the coral reefs surrounding the islands. They are home to hundreds of species of plants and animals including pufferfish like the one pictured on the 2022 National Marine Sanctuaries postage stamp. One of the most recognizable pufferfish of American Samoa is the map puffer (Arothron mappa). Rather than scales, the map puffer is mostly covered in small spines. It has a distinct pattern of black, brown, or greenish broken lines on its body, giving the species its common name. Without the National Marine Sanctuary, who knows what would become of this fascinating creature?!
US #5713a
2022 Balloonfish – National Marine Sanctuaries
- Pictures the balloonfish, one of many creatures protected by America’s National Marine Sanctuaries
- One of 16 stamps in the National Marine Sanctuaries set
Stamp Category: Commemorative
Set: National Marine Sanctuaries
Value: 60¢ First Class Mail Rate (Forever)
First Day of Issue: August 5, 2022
First Day City: Santa Cruz, California
Quantity Issued: 38,000,000
Printed by: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd.
Printing Method: Offset
Format: Panes of 16
Tagging: Nonphosphored type III, block tagged
Why the stamp was issued: To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the National Marine Sanctuary System.
About the stamp design: Pictures a photograph of a balloonfish taken in one of America’s National Marine Sanctuaries.
First Day City: The First Day of Issue Ceremony was held at the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center in Santa Cruz, California.
About the National Marine Sanctuaries set: A set of 16 mint stamps picturing photographs from America’s National Marine Sanctuary System. These stamps were issued to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the National Marine Sanctuary System and the many creatures and historic relics protected by it.
History the stamp represents: The National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa is located between Hawai’i and New Zealand and includes over 13,500 square miles of protected waters. It consists of five volcanic islands and two coral atolls. The islands are: Tutuila, Aunu’u, Ofu, Olosega, and Ta’u. The two coral atolls are Rose Atoll and Swains Island.
The people of American Samoa have populated the region for 3,000 years – the longest of any culture in Polynesia. The National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa respects the cultural traditions of the locals while still working to protect the flora and fauna of nearby marine habitats.
Perhaps the most important subject of concern for the National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa is the coral reefs surrounding the islands. They are home to hundreds of species of plants and animals including pufferfish like the one pictured on the 2022 National Marine Sanctuaries postage stamp. One of the most recognizable pufferfish of American Samoa is the map puffer (Arothron mappa). Rather than scales, the map puffer is mostly covered in small spines. It has a distinct pattern of black, brown, or greenish broken lines on its body, giving the species its common name. Without the National Marine Sanctuary, who knows what would become of this fascinating creature?!