Ascension : New Stamp Issue – Release 23/03/09 - Whales & Dolphins
Submitted by The Islander (Ascension Island Government) 19.03.2009 (Article Archived on 02.04.2009)
An Introduction to Whales & Dolphins - Whales, dolphins and porpoises are a group of 84 closely related species known collectively as cetaceans.
Although they spend all their time in the water, they are mammals rather than fish. This means that like humans, dogs, cows and other mammals they breathe air and suckle their young with milk. You can easily tell a cetacean from a fish by the tail. A fish tail is vertical and moves from side to side, while a cetaceans' tail is horizontal and moves up and down.
Where to see Dolphins and Whales around Ascension
Although dolphins and whales can be seen almost anywhere, they are seen more frequently in some places and times than others. Bottlenose dolphins seen year round are most commonly sighted close to shore in areas such as around Boatswainbird Island and Porpoise Point. The nearest neighbouring population of this species is in Saint Helena and the Ascension Island population may be genetically unique. Humpback whales are usually present in the late winter and early spring and can be found almost anywhere around the island. Humpback whales may come to Ascension Island from as far away as the Falkland Islands or Antarctica to give birth to their calves and mate. Sperm whales and Gervais' beaked whales are probably found only in deeper waters further offshore.
Bottlenose Dolphin – 35p
Bottlenose dolphins are around 10 feet long. The most common and well known of all dolphins, their most distinguishing feature is their elongated snout. They tend to live in groups, known as pods, of around 15 dolphins although pods can sometimes join together to form much larger groups. They can often be seen working together to harvest schools of fish. They primarily use echolocation (similar to sonar) to determine the location and shape of nearby objects and prey. Bottlenose dolphins also use sounds such as squeaks, clicks and body language such as slapping their tails on the water to communicate. This has led to many investigations into their intelligence. This species shows curiosity towards humans and even altruistic behaviour towards other sea creatures and there are many documented instances of them protecting and helping humans and other creatures in danger. However Bottlenose dolphins are predators and are capable of defending themselves and exhibiting aggressive behaviour, both to their own species and to others.
Pan-tropical spotted Dolphin – 40p
Pan-tropical spotted dolphins grow to around 8 feet in length and live for around 40 years. They are a very active dolphin prone to making large splashy leaps from the sea. Bow-riding and other play with boats is common. Found in all tropical and sub-tropical waters it is the second most common cetacean after the Bottlenose dolphin. The Pan-tropical dolphin is often seen swimming with Yellowfin Tuna, sharing a common diet of small epipelagic fish. This led to a significant decline in world populations in the latter part of the 20th century, when millions were caught in the nets of tuna fishermen. This issue received wide public attention, resulting in the introduction of more discerning fishing practises and the appearance of “Dolphin Friendly” tuna on supermarket shelves.
Sperm Whale – 50p
In many ways Sperm whales are incredible. Reaching lengths of more than 60 feet they are the largest living toothed animals. Typically adult females are significantly smaller. With a large head approximately one third of its length, it also has the largest brain in the world. Diving to depths of 3 kilometres to obtain its prey of squid and fish (including the Giant Squid) makes it the deepest diving mammal in the world, eating around 3% of their weight a day. They also produce a mysterious clicking sound which is by far the loudest sound produced by any animal. With few natural predators the whales can live for up to 70 years. A strong bond develops between females and their calves, which may suckle for a decade or more. Like other large whales, Sperm whale populations were decimated by whaling and the recovery from this is a slow process. They are now protected practically worldwide although entanglement in fishing nets and collisions with ships still pose a threat, as does the ingestion of marine debris and noise pollution.
Gervais' Beaked Whale - £1.25p
Gervais’ beaked whales are known almost entirely from stranding records and as such they are a poorly understood species. Until 1980, Gervais' beaked whales were only known from the North Atlantic. In that year, a number were stranded in Ascension Island in quick succession proving the species also occur in the South Atlantic. Growing to about 15 feet they have a distinct beak and a single large tooth in each lower jaw. In males this tooth is especially large and protrudes from its closed mouth. Although frequently stranded, sightings of live specimens are incredibly rare. This species has never been hunted and is believed to be naturally rare.
Humpback Whale - £2.00p S/S
Humpback whales are up to fifty feet long with a blunt head. They have very large white flippers and a black and white pattern on the underside of their tail. Humpback Whales are found in seas and oceans throughout the world. Feeding on krill and small fish in the summer months in polar waters they migrate to tropical and subtropical waters in winter to breed and give birth, living off their fat reserves. With annual migrations of around 25,000 kilometres it is one of the farthest travelling mammalian species. Like other large whales the Humpback was and still remains a target for the whaling industry. Once hunted to the brink of extinction stocks of the species now appear to be recovering. Both male and female Humpback whales can produce sounds, however only the males produce the loud and complex songs for which the species is famous. These songs, created by forcing air through their massive nasal cavities, can last for up to 20 minutes and are then repeated continuously for several hours. The exact purpose of these songs remains unclear although the likelihood is that they are used for mating purposes.
Monitoring of Whales & Dolphins on Ascension
The Ascension Island Conservation Department and volunteers have been monitoring whales and dolphins in the waters around Ascension Island for eight years, starting when the Conservation Office was set up to eradicate the feral cat, and the sea bird restoration project. This work is ongoing and data collected is submitted into our GIS system for future reference.
Please note that the 35p, 40p, 50p and £1.25p stamps are issued in individual sheets of 20 with gutters and also in staggered se-tenant format in sheetlets of 16. The fdc will contain sheet stamps only and there will be an s/s fdc available as well.
Technical Details
Designer Nick Shewring
Printer BDT International
Process Stochastic lithography
Stamp Size 27 x 48.26mm
Sheet Format 20 (2 x 10)
Sheetlet layout 16 (4x4)
Souvenir sheet size 111 x 65mm
Perforation 14 per 2cms
Release Date 23 March 2009
Production Co-ordination Creative Direction (Worldwide) Ltd
We acknowledge with thanks the assistance of Ascension Conservation Department and Colin MacLeod (Aberdeen University, Scotland) for their contributions to this text.
For further information, please contact John Smith,
Pobjoy Mint Ltd, Tel: (44) 1737 818181 Fax: (44) 1737 818199
e-mail: jcs137@pobjoy.com
These beautifully designed stamps and official first day cover will be on sale at the Post Office for a period of fifteen months provided stocks last. Overseas customers may view and purchase them by visiting out web site www.postoffice.gov.ac or enquires may be made to the Philatelic Bureau, Ascension Island Post Office, Georgetown, Ascension Island, ASCN 1ZZ or telephone + (247) 6260 Fax + (247) 6583
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