U.S. #5713a
2022 60¢ National Marine Sanctuaries – Balloon Fish
Issue Date: August 5, 2022
First Day City: Santa Cruz, CA
Type of Stamp: Commemorative
Printed by: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd.
Printing Method: Offset
Format: Pane of 16
Self-Adhesive
Quantity Printed: 38,000,000
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?!