The US Postal Service today is releasing new postage stamps featuring sharks, sea otters, seals and iconic seascapes to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the National Marine Sanctuary System, the USA’s national parks of the ocean.
The new stamps celebrate these spectacular places, while also raising awareness to help preserve them for the future. They include photographs taken by Daryl Duda, Michael Durham, Mark Sullivan, Peter Turcik, Norbert Wu as well as National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration employees Wendy Cover, Jeff Harris, Elliott Hazen, Joseph Hoyt, Ed Lyman, Greg McFall, Matt McIntosh, G. P. Schmahl and Kate Thompson.
According to National Marine Sanctuary Foundation President and CEO Kris Sarri:
“The new Forever stamps celebrate the majestic seascapes, wildlife, and underwater wonders that our National Marine Sanctuary System offer. For half a century, our sanctuaries have protected these treasures for all of us to enjoy, explore, and discover. As we mark the 50th anniversary of the Sanctuary System, we must recommit to saving these spectacular places and protecting their splendor for generations to come.”
Art director Greg Breeding designed the pane using existing photographs. A map of the National Marine Sanctuary System illustrated by Todd Detwiler is printed on the back of the pane.
The stamps will be unveiled today at the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center in California.
Preorders for the Marine Sanctuaries Forever stamps can be made online at usps.com/stamps beginning July 5.
