U.S. Postal Service unveils new marine life stamps

Aug. 5—The U.S. Postal Service on Friday unveiled its newest forever stamps—and they will please anyone who loves marine life.

The 16 new National Marine Sanctuaries stamps showcase the abundant wildlife and diverse ecosystems that can be found throughout the National Marine Sanctuary System, the postal service stated in a press release.

The stamps feature whales, tiger sharks,, angel fish, balloon fish, sea lions and more.

For 50 years, U.S. national marine sanctuaries and marine national monuments have protected areas with special ecological, cultural and historical significance.

The Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act, which established a framework designating national marine sanctuaries, was signed into law in on Oct. 23, 1972, according to the postal service. Today, the National Marine Sanctuary System is managed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Encompassing more than 620,000 square miles, the sanctuary system currently comprises 15 national marine sanctuaries and two marine national monuments, stretching from the North Atlantic to the South Pacific, and from the Florida Keys to the Pacific Northwest.

The stamps can be purchased at your local post office or at https://www.usps.com.