Ascension Island (En) - Вознесения о-в (Ru) - Ascension (Fr) - Ascension (De) - Ascension (Sp)

2008 (Mar.14) Ascension Island Sharks (4v set + SS + MS) - Акулы (4м.+ Бл.+ МЛ)

(Sc.)(Mi.)(Yv.)(SG  )      35p   Hexanchus griseus - Серая шестижаберная акула - Bluntnose Sixgill = Blunt-nosed six-gilled shark = Six Gill Shark (En)  00164
(Sc.)(Mi.)(Yv.)(SG  )      40p   Sphyrna lewini Griffith & Smith, 1834 = Zygaena lewini (уст.) - Scalloped Hammerhead (En) 00391
(Sc.)(Mi.)(Yv.)(SG  )      50p   Isurus oxyrhinchus - Акула-мако = Остроносая сельдевая акула - Shortfin mako (En)  00392
(Sc.)(Mi.)(Yv.)(SG  )  J1.25p   Rhyncodon typus - Китовая акула - Whale Shark (En)  00390

(Sc.)(Mi.)(Yv.)(SG  )  J1.50p  Alopias superciliosus - Bigeye Thresher (En)  00393

The sets are also available in staggered se-tenant strips of four in this single sheetlet with decorative border:

The set of four stamps are also featured on an Official First Day Cover.The S/S is also featured on an Official First Day Cover.

The First Day Cover depicts the Galapagos shark, which can be found in warm tropical waters at depths ranging from 5 to 60 metres. Their average length is around 3 metres. They hunt prey from the sea floor. Adult Galapagos sharks are also cannibalistic, eating their own young if encountered:

Carcharhinus galapagensis - Galapagos shark (En)  00163

Each of the four values is produced in an individual sheet of 10 with plain border:

Bluntnose Sixgill – 35p
The Bluntnose Sixgill (most common sharks have 5 gills) is a primitive shark with relatives dating back 200 million years. It is an interesting species due to its both primitive and current physical characteristics.

Scalloped Hammerhead – 40p
Scalloped Hammerhead sharks are the most common of all the Hammerheads. Mature females can reach a length of more than 4 metres. It tends to inhabit warm coastal waters down to a depth of 300 metres. Whilst Scalloped Hammerheads often swim the oceans alone they can also be seen during the day in very large schools, sometimes counting hundreds of individuals.

Shortfin Mako – 50p
The Shortfin Mako is a large shark with a full-grown length of up to 4 metres. It is found in temperate and tropical seas worldwide and at depths of 150 metres. It is highly migratory and they are often found in the same waters as swordfish, a source of food that shares its environmental preferences. Mainly feeding upon bony fish it may also eat other sharks, porpoises and sea turtles.

Whale Shark - Ј1.25p
Growing to over 12 metres and weighing over 20 tonnes, the whale shark is the largest living fish species. It is found in tropical and warm oceans and lives in the open sea. The species is believed to have originated about 60 million years ago.