Special stamps on marine life

The four stamps feature the Black Finless Porpoise, the Serranidae, the Whale Shark and Dugongidae. The stamps have been issued in coordination with the Emirates Marine Environmental Group.

The complete set of stamps is available at the Deira Main Post Office; Karama Post Office and Abu Dhabi Central Post Office. First Day Covers, priced at Dh9.75 each, and stamp booklets priced at Dh17.50, are also available at the above locations.

Mr. Abdulla Al Daboos, Director General of Emirates Post, said: "Emirates Post has always given high importance to Nature conservation and one of the ways we achieve this goal is through stamps issued at regular intervals. This special series on the endangered marine creatures of the Gulf conveys a strong message that by protecting the flora and fauna, we are creating a better future for mankind."

"We are glad to announce that with the issue of these stamps Emirates Post has launched a new concept of bringing out a pocket-size booklet with each new series of stamps. The booklet will not only give brief information on the stamps, but will also provide advertising space for companies to promote their products and services," Mr. Al Daboos said.

The booklet provides information on the four endangered marine species of the Gulf. The Black Finless Porpoise, dark in colour, is 1.5 metres long and weighs around 27 kg. It is now rarely found. The Serranidae is an elongate fish with caudal truncate. It is about 100 cm long, and 40 to 50 cm wide. The Whale Shark, 10 to 12 metres long, weighs up to 40 tonnes, and feeds on plankton and small school fish. The Dugongidae are tropical warm-water mammals, with an average length of 2.5 to 3 metres, and they surface to breathe at irregular intervals.