28 March 2019
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Four new stamps issued by Pobjoy on behalf of Tristan da Cunha highlight the importance of the fishing industry to the South Atlantic islands.
Lobster fishing is one of the mainstays of the Tristan economy, providing work for a large majority of islanders.
The exceptional quality of the Tristan Lobster (Jasus tristani) means it is now on the menu of some of the finest restaurants in the world and used by many of the world’s leading supermarkets.
Tristan has two distinct lobster fishing sectors, which are highlighted on the stamps:
- Vessel-based: Operated by concession and using large ocean-going fishing vessels from Cape Town they fish around the three outer islands of Inaccessible, Nightingale and Gough Island. Catches are processed and frozen on-board the fishing vessels
- Island-based: Operated entirely by island fishermen and is restricted to Tristan da Cunha Island, using twelve 7-8m power-boats that deliver catches to the factory, on the island, for processing
The 35p stamp shows local fishing boats tied up in Calshot harbour, followed by a stamp (50p) showing an aerial view of the new fishing factory and lobster packaging facilities. The final two stamps show the fishing vessel Geo Searcher (£1) and a Tristan Rock Lobster (Jasus tristani) known locally as Crawfish (£2).
Commercial fishing has been carried out in Tristan da Cunha since 1949, with fish originally canned on the island and then, from the 1960s, frozen. Due to the remote location of the fishery, the lobsters are only available in a range of premium frozen formats, including whole cooked, whole raw, tails and a unique format the “sashimi grade” whole lobster.
Stamp details
Design: Bee Design
Printer: Cartor Security Printing
Stamp size: 28mm x 45mm
Perforations: 13 ¼ x 13 ½ per 2cms
To order, visit Pobjoy Mint.
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