# 5713q - 2022 First-Class Forever Stamp - Imperforate National Marine Sanctuaries

US #5713q
2022 National Marine Sanctuaries (Imperforate)

• Celebrates the National Marine Sanctuaries of the United States and the many creatures and historic relics protected by them
• Includes 16 different stamp designs

Stamp Category:  Commemorative
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 (Includes die-cut AND imperforate stamps.  The exact quantity of imperforate stamps is unknown, but it is only a tiny fraction of the total print quantity, making the imperforates much scarcer than traditional die-cut stamps.)
Printed by:  Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd.
Printing Method:  Offset
Format:  Panes of 16
Tagging:  Nonphosphored type III, block tagged

Why the stamps were issued:  To commemorate the 50^th anniversary of the National Marine Sanctuary System.

About the stamp designs:  Each stamp pictures a photograph taken at a site that’s part of the National Marine Sanctuary System.  The reverse side of the pane of 16 includes a map of the National Marine Sanctuary System illustrated by Todd M. Detwiler.

First Day City:  The First Day of Issue Ceremony was held at the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center in Santa Cruz, California.

History the stamp represents:  On October 23, 1972, the United States Congress passed the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act, establishing the National Marine Sanctuary Program.  The first national marine sanctuary was USS Monitor National Marine Sanctuary off the coast of North Carolina, established January 30, 1975.

In 2022, the United States Postal Service celebrated the 50^th anniversary of the National Marine Sanctuary Program with a set of 16 Forever stamps.  Each one pictures scenes from different sanctuaries in the system.  As of early 2022, there were 15 designated national marine sanctuaries and two national marine monuments, protecting over 620,000 square miles of US waters.  Most of these are located in the Atlantic or Pacific Oceans, but two are in the Great Lakes.

National marine sanctuaries are administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and “preserve the extraordinary scenic beauty, biodiversity, historical connections, and economic productivity of our most precious underwater treasures.”  This includes coordinating and assisting scientific research efforts, working with native populations to respect cultural and historic traditions, and more.  Volunteers also help carry out this mission.  In 2021 alone, volunteers contributed over 40,000 hours to our national marine sanctuaries.  In the past 17 years, that number exceeded 100,000.

National marine sanctuaries help ensure the survival of some of our most vulnerable ecosystems.  Thanks to our sanctuaries, we can continue to enjoy our oceans and lakes and the flora and fauna that call them home.