Penrhyn is the most remote and largest atoll of the 15 Cook Islands in the south Pacific Ocean. Penrhyn Atoll has two villages, the main village of Omoka, and the village of Te Tautua. On 24 February 2003, the Penrhyn Post issued the first day cover along with the WWF stamps feature Ocean Sunfish (Mola mola). The issue stamps consist of 4 postage stamps.The Local FDC has sealed with all of 4 WWF stamps and standard post marks.
The Ocean Sunfish or Mola mola, is the heaviest known bony fish in the world. It has an average adult weight of 1,000 kg . The species is native to tropical and temperate waters around the globe. It resembles a fish head with a tail, and its main body is flattened laterally. Sunfish can be as tall as they are long when their dorsal and ventral fins are extended.
Sunfish live on a diet that consists mainly of jellyfish, but because this diet is nutritionally poor, they consume large amounts in order to develop and maintain their great bulk. Females of the species can produce more eggs than any other known vertebrate. The Ocean Sunfish fry resemble miniature pufferfish, with large pectoral fins, a tail fin and body spines uncharacteristic of adult sunfish.
Mola mola or Ocean Sunfish are not widely held in aquarium exhibits, due to the unique and demanding requirements of their care. Some Asian aquariums display them, particularly in Japan. Recent studies indicate a decrease in sunfish populations that may be caused by more frequent bycatch and the increasing popularity of sunfish in human diet.
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