Exclusively produced by HSBC, the Care-For-Nature Shores and Reefs Stamp Series is a limited edition of four stamps, available in Collector's Cover and Limited Stamp Print Collections (4-in-1 and Set-of-4 stamp prints), both pre-cancelled with the first day of issue date stamp and corporate postmark.
One guards the other cleans. Their perfect harmony also means terrible vulnerability.
2007 Care-For-Nature Stamp Series features native inhabitants of our coral reefs: the Hawksbill Turle and Remora, the Sea Urchin and Razorfirsh, the Singapore Goby and Blind Shrimp, and the Sea Anemone and False Clown Anemonefish.
Coral reefs are home to some of the most unusal relationships on the planet: Diverse species living together, working together, and growing together in a state of utmost harmony and cooperation. Symbiosis helps them survive and thrive, but their interdependence also makes them vulnerable. If one is lost, the other follows suit. We too also depend on the coral reefs as they depend on each other. Their extraordinary biodiversity provides us with food and natural compounds for medicine, and regulates carbon dioxide levels in the seas. The reefs also protect the shoreline against strong waves and support adjacent ecosystems such as seagrass beds, rocky shores and mangroves.
In turn, the reefs rely on us for protection. Without our commitment to their conservation, this treasure trove of life - one of the oldest ecosystems on Earth will vanish, and with it, discovery, knowledge and splendour.
Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) and Remora (Echeneis naucrates)
As the Hawksbill turtle feeds among the corals, the remora using its specialized sucking disc, hitches a ride on its back and ets the food scraps left behind. in return, the remora cleans the Hawksbill, eating not only the algae on its shel, but molting skin and parasites from the trutle's head and fins.
Sea Anemone (Stichodactyla sp.) and False Clown Anemonefish (Amphiprion ocellaris)
The anemone, an animal with stinging tentacles, is home to the colourful False Clown anemonefish. Immune to the poisonous stings, the anemonefish defends the anemone from its predators, and regularly cleans its host of leftovers. The deadly anemone, in turn, protects the anemonefish from its enemies and eats food dropped by the fish.
Sea Urchin (Diadema sp.) and Razorfish (Aeoliscus strigatus)
The urchin lies still as the razorfish nips between its long spines, picking off parasites and remnants of food. At any sign of danger, the rather flat razorfish darts between the urchin's spines. There the razorfish stays safe from potential predators. Thus, while the razorfish receives protection and food, the urchin is kept clean and healthy.
Singapore Goby (Cryptocentrus leptocephalus) and Blind Shrimp (Alpheus sp.)
In the sand, a shrimp digs and cleans a burrow. Near the doorway the goby stands guard. Using its antennae, the shrimp keeps in regular contact with the goby's fins and tail. At the first sign of trouble, the goby flicks the shrimp with its tail, and both the goby and shrimp dash into their shared home.
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