Sea Resources

Mineral and Fuel - Maui Gas - 12c
This stamp features the Maui gas drilling platform situated 53 km off the Taranaki Coast.  The gas field over which it stands was discovered in 1969 and is among the 20 largest in the world.

Harvest of the Sea - 15c
Harvesting the produce of the sea has always been an expensive business.  Modern fishermen operate craft with sophisticated equipment such as the trawler depicted.  This kind of vessel represents a large financial investment.

200 Mile Exclusive Economic Zone - 20c
Legislation provided New Zealand with a 200 mile (322 km) exclusive economic zone, giving greater control over the resources of the waters surrounding our shores.

Conservation of Marine Mammals - 23c
With the gradual increase in the number of whales, the Government considered a marine mammal protection act under which it would be able to protect marine mammals within the economic zone.  Research continues into mammal species about which little is known. Dolphins and a whale are depicted on the stamp.

Fish species - 35c
Some of the more common fish taken commercially by the fishing industry and found in New Zealand waters are featured on this stamp - kingfish, snapper, groper and squid.

Stamp bulletin

This stamp issue first appeared in New Zealand Post Stamp Bulletin No. 19 in April 1978.

Acknowledgments: Bulletin scanned and provided by John Biddlecombe of the New Zealand Society of Great Britain. Their web site offers further information useful to those interested in the stamps and postal history of New Zealand. Link: http://www.nzsgb.org.uk/