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The Postal Services is issuing a set of 12 definitive
postage stamps on Fishes of Mauritius to replace the current definitive
set on the Protection of the Environment. The set comprises stamps of the
50cs, Re1, Rs2, Rs3. Rs4, Rs5, Rs6, Rs7, Rs8, Rs10, Rs15 and Rs25
denominations.
For this issue, the philatelic products consist of 3
sets of First Day Covers with 4 stamps each, 3 Souvenir Sheets with 4 stamps
each and Souvenir Sheets on 3 First Day Covers.
These fishes, with the exception of some species, are
found throughout the tropical Indian and Pacific Oceans.
Rs3 -
Capitaine/Lethrinus nebulosus - Family Lethrinidae
The "Capitaine" grows to about 86 cm and
forms large schools in sand or coral rubble near coral reefs. It preys on smaller
fishes, worms and shellfish. It is an important fisheries species and is
largely consumed in Mauritius.
Rs5 - Debouetteur/Amohiprion chrysogaster - Family Pomacentridae
This anemonefish was described from Mauritius, where
it is found on reefs to depth of at least 40 metres. Like other anemonefishes,
it avoids predation by living among the stinging tentacles of certain sea
anemones. These are flower-like animals that capture their food and deter
predators by using stinging cells on their tentacles. Anemonefish avoid being
stung because they have an unusually thick layer of protective mucus on the
body, which also has special chemical properties so that the anemone's stinging
cells are not discharged.
Rs6 - Pavillon/Forcipiger flavissimus - Family Chaetodontidae
Growing to about 22 cm, this brightly coloured butterflyfish
is widely distributed from the Red Sea and east coast of Africa to Japanese
waters. It lives mainly on reef slopes among coral or in caves and under
ledges, at depths ranging from a few metres down to 115 metres. It uses its
long jaws for probing in the reef and nipping off tube worm tentacles as well
as catching small crustaceans.
Rs15 - Requin/Carcharhinus wheeleri - Family Carcharhinidae
This sleek grey reef shark grows to about 1.7 metres,
and is found only in the Western Indian Ocean. Smaller individuals may live in
shallow waters, but the species is most abundant on reef slopes and deeper
reefs. In many species, the females give birth to live youngs instead of
laying eggs. Sharks are carnivorous, their food often consisting of smaller
fishes, squid and octopus.
First Day Cover Illustration
The First Day Cover illustrates a shoal of fish. Only
the Rs3, Rs5, Rs6 and Rs15 denominations appear on the First Day Cover.
Souvenir Sheet
The Souvenir Sheet portrays the above four stamps.
Cancellation Cachet
The cancellation cachet specialty designed for the
issue is applied on official First Day Cover only.
Technical Details
Designer Andrew Robinson
Printer House of Questa
Stamp Size 27.94 x 44.45 mm
S. Sheet Size 130x100 mm
Perforation 14 per 2 cm
Gum PVA
Paper Crown Agents Watermarked
Sheet format 50 stamps set in 2 panes of 25
Release date 9 October 2000
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