Blue Belt Programme: 10th Anniversary

Issue date : 9th September 2026

Blue Belt Programme: 10th Anniversary

 The UK Overseas Territories (OTs) are home to 90% of the UK’s biodiversity. Since its launch in 2016, the UK Blue Belt Programme has worked in partnership with Territory Governments to enhance the protection and sustainable management of these unique marine environments, marking a decade of collaborative ocean stewardship. In total, 4,309,000 km² of the world’s oceans are protected by the Blue Belt Programme. That is an area 18 times the size of the UK.

Operating in some of the most remote and biologically rich regions on Earth, the Programme brings together science, monitoring, compliance and capacity building to support long-term ocean management. Through this partnership approach, it has helped establish and strengthen large-scale Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), improve fisheries sustainability, and develop the evidence base needed for adaptive, ecosystem-based management. This work reflects a shared commitment to safeguarding marine ecosystems while supporting sustainable use for future generations.

Over the past ten years, the Blue Belt Programme has continued to evolve, strengthening its focus through three key pillars: climate, nature and people. Together, these priorities support the protection of marine ecosystems, improve resilience to environmental change, and ensure that science and management underpin sustainable use of the ocean. This work continues to be supported by leading UK delivery partners, including the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) and the Marine Management Organisation (MMO).

The Tristan da Cunha Marine Protected Zone (TDCMPZ), established in 2021, is one of the largest fully protected marine areas in the Atlantic Ocean, covering almost 700,000 km². Encompassing over 90% of Tristan da Cunha's waters, it safeguards globally significant marine habitats and provides a refuge for an extraordinary diversity of wildlife, including endangered seabirds, seals, whales, sharks and the world-renowned Tristan Rock Lobster.

Supported through the UK Government's Blue Belt Programme, the Marine Protected Zone combines world-leading conservation with the sustainable management of the island's traditional lobster fishery. Ongoing scientific research, marine monitoring and evidence-based management are improving understanding of the South Atlantic's changing oceans, ensuring Tristan da Cunha's unique marine environment remains protected for future generations while supporting the island community that depends upon it.

To commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Blue Belt Programme, Tristan da Cunha has issued a set of four stamps highlighting the programme's three pillars: Climate, Nature and People

£0.75 Climate – Installing Underwater Temperature Loggers Fisheries Department staff install underwater temperature loggers around Tristan’s archipelago to record long-term changes in sea temperature. These instruments provide vital data on the effects of climate change, helping researchers understand how warming oceans influence Tristan da Cunha's unique marine ecosystems. The information gathered supports informed conservation decisions, ensuring the long-term protection and resilience of the island's exceptional marine environment.

£1.00 – Nature: Northern Rockhopper Penguin The Northern Rockhopper Penguin is one of Tristan da Cunha's most iconic and charismatic seabirds, breeding in vast colonies on the islands of the Tristan archipelago. Recognisable by its striking yellow crest and bright red eyes, this endangered species depends on the surrounding South Atlantic waters for food. Protected marine habitats and feeding grounds supported through the Blue Belt initiative help secure the long-term future of this remarkable bird and its unique island habitat.

£1.50 – Nature: Sevengill Shark on BRUV The Broadnose Sevengill Shark is one of the top marine predators found in the waters surrounding Tristan da Cunha. This stamp depicts the species captured on a Baited Remote Underwater Video (BRUV) system, a non-invasive method used by Fisheries & Conservation Departments to monitor marine life. The footage provides valuable information on shark populations, helping to guide conservation and the sustainable management of Tristan da Cunha's vast Marine Protected Zone.

£2.00 – People: Rock Lobster Tagging The Tristan Rock Lobster is central to the island's economy and is its most valuable natural resource. This Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified commercial fishery provides approximately 80% of Tristan da Cunha's income, making the long-term health of the lobster population vital to the island's economy and the livelihoods of its community. To help safeguard this important resource, Fisheries Department staff tag and monitor individual lobsters to study their growth, movements, survival and population health. The data collected provides essential scientific information for managing the fishery sustainably, helping to protect the species and ensure it continues to support Tristan da Cunha for generations to come.

FDC Cover – Octopus on BRUV Common Octopus is captured on a Baited Remote Underwater Video (BRUV) resting on the seabed, while a shoal of Five-Finger fish passes overhead. This striking image highlights the rich diversity of Tristan da Cunha's inshore marine environment and demonstrates the value of BRUV technology in observing marine life in its natural habitat without disturbance.

Souvenir Sheet The four stamps are also available as a souvenir sheet, illustrating the Blue Belt Programme's three pillars: Climate, Nature and People through conservation, research and sustainable fisheries management at Tristan da Cunha. The sheet also features the Blue Parks logo, recognising Tristan da Cunha's Marine Protected Area as a recipient of the internationally recognised Blue Park Award for meeting the highest standards of marine conservation and management.

 Technical Details         
Design                Bee Design
Photography    75p, £1.50 & FDC Rodney Green £1.00 Andy Schofield  £2.00 Julia Gunther Printer                 Cartor 
Process               Stochastic lithography
Perforation        13¼ x 13½ per 2cms
Stamp Size         42 x 28mm
Souvenir Sheet Size        110 x 80mm
Release Date     9th September 2026
Production Co-ordination Creative Direction (Worldwide) Ltd

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Gough Island Meteorological Station Part 1

Issue date: 31st August 2026

Gough Island Meteorological Station Part 1

The Tristan da Cunha Post Office is delighted to announce the release of Gough Island Meteorological Station – Part 1, a new commemorative stamp issue celebrating the establishment of one of the world's most important long-term meteorological stations.
Situated approximately 400 km south-east of Tristan da Cunha, Gough Island is one of the most remote inhabited places on Earth. It became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995, with the designation extended to include Inaccessible Island in 2004. UNESCO recognises the islands as the least-disturbed major cool temperate island ecosystem in the South Atlantic and one of the world's most important seabird sites. 

 The origins of the island's permanent meteorological station date back to the Gough Island Scientific Survey (1955–1956), a British-led expedition that demonstrated its exceptional value for weather observations in the South Atlantic.

Recognizing this potential, the South African Weather Bureau (now the South African Weather Service) equipped the expedition with meteorological instruments and seconded experienced meteorologist J.J. van der Merwe to carry out regular weather observations. Each day, synoptic weather reports and upper-air observations were transmitted by radio to Cape Town. The quality and importance of the data quickly became apparent, prompting the South African Weather Bureau to establish a permanent weather station on the island.

 When the Scientific Survey concluded in May 1956, the Bureau purchased the expedition's facilities, which were officially handed over on 13 May 1956. Van der Merwe remained on Gough for a further year, becoming both the station's first officer-in-charge and the island's first magistrate. His pioneering work laid the foundations for an uninterrupted programme of meteorological observations that has continued for nearly seventy years.

 By leasing the land on which the station was established from the United Kingdom Government, the South African Weather Bureau (SAWB)—now the South African Weather Service (SAWS)—has maintained a continuous presence on Gough Island ever since. Today, the station is managed as part of the South African National Antarctic Programme (SANAP), alongside South Africa's research stations on Marion Island and in Antarctica. Together, these stations provide vital meteorological and environmental data that support international weather forecasting, climate research and scientific understanding of the Southern Ocean and Antarctic regions.

Today, the Gough Island Meteorological Station is recognised as one of the world's most significant remote weather stations. Its continuous observations have contributed to international weather forecasting, aviation safety, ocean monitoring and, increasingly, the study of long-term climate change.

 The four stamps in this issue illustrate key moments in the station's early history and development:

 65p – Gough Island Meteorological Team, 1956 he pioneering team that established the permanent weather station following the departure of the Gough Island Scientific Survey.

 £1 – HMSAS Transvaal at Gough Island, 1956 The South African frigate that supported the establishment and servicing of the new meteorological station.

 £1.25 – Gough Island Meteorological Station, 1980s An aerial view showing the station after several decades of development and expansion.

 £2 – Gough Island Meteorological Station, 2010 A modern aerial photograph illustrating the station as it entered the 21st century, continuing its vital role in international meteorological research.

This stamp issue honours the dedication of the meteorological teams who have lived and worked in one of the world's most isolated environments for nearly seventy years, continuing a legacy of scientific excellence that began in 1956.

This issue is the first in a two-part series celebrating the history of the Gough Island Meteorological Station. A second issue, to be released in 2027, will feature the ships that have serviced the station from its establishment in 1956 to the present day, highlighting the essential maritime lifeline that has enabled one of the world's most remote scientific outposts to operate continuously for nearly seventy years.

Technical details:
Designer              Bee Design
Photographs        Antarctic Legacy of South Africa Archive, except
                                             £1.25 Tristan da Cunha Archives
Printer                           Cartor 
Process                          Lithography 
Perforation                     13 ¼ x 13 per 2cms
Stamp size                        38 x 30.6mm
Sheet Layout                      10 
Release date                        31 August, 2026 
Production Coordination      Creative Direction (Worldwide) Ltd

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250th Anniversary of the Declaration of American Independence

Issue Date  4th July , 2026 
250th Anniversary of the Declaration of American Independence

Tristan da Cunha has chosen to mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence with the release of a souvenir sheet commemorating American Independence Day.

The issue features the Statue of Liberty set against a background of the Declaration of Independence. Alongside this iconic symbol of the United States is a design depicting one of Tristan da Cunha’s most remarkable historical connections with America – the rescue of the crew of the American sailing vessel Mabel Clark, an act of bravery that later earned the Islanders the thanks and gifts of the President of the United States.

 The Declaration of Independence was adopted on 4 July 1776 by the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia. Drafted primarily by Thomas Jefferson, it announced the thirteen American colonies’ formal separation from Great Britain and asserted the principles of equality and the rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Its influence has extended far beyond the United States, inspiring democratic movements around the world.

Less well known is the remarkable story of the wreck of the Mabel Clark. The newly built American ship-rigged sailing vessel was under the command of Captain Oscar Sheldon, who was traveling south with his wife and young daughter. On 1 May 1878, at around 2 a.m., the vessel foundered on the rocks off Tristan da Cunha in thick fog and rough seas. The lifeboats were soon washed away, and the ship began to break apart.

At daybreak, the Islanders spotted the wreck and gathered on the shore with ropes, tea and brandy. Although the heavy seas initially prevented any rescue attempt, Islanders repeatedly risked their lives by swimming out through the surf with ropes tied around their waists to assist those who attempted to reach land. Others remained lashed to the mast and rigging for some 37 hours before the storm finally eased sufficiently for them to be rescued.

The survivors were cared for by the Islanders until they were able to leave the island aboard various vessels between June and October 1878. One crew member chose to remain on Tristan and later married into the community.

Dispatches sent home by Captain Sheldon and his First Mate praised the hospitality and heroism of the Tristan Islanders. In recognition of their actions, the American Legation in London sent an inscribed gold chronometer and chain for Chief Islander Peter Green, a binocular glass, and £40 in gold to be distributed at the discretion of the next British naval commander to visit the island.

These gifts were formally presented by Captain James East of HMS Comus during a visit on 6 February 1880. Reporting on the occasion, he noted that the Islanders were deeply appreciative of the President’s generosity. He wrote: “The Islanders, headed by Peter Green their Headman, received us very cordially ... I gave them the presents sent by the President of the United States in acknowledgement of the services rendered by them to the crew of the Mabel Clark in 1878, for which they desire me to express their sincere thanks.”

The rescue of the Mabel Clark remains one of Tristan da Cunha’s most celebrated maritime stories and a lasting symbol of friendship between the island community and the United States.

Technical Details
Design           Andrew Robinson
Printer           Cartor 
Process          Stochastic lithography 
Perforation      14 ½ x 14 ¼ per 2cms
Stamp size          42 x 28mm 
Souvenir sheet size        109 x 73mm
Release date                      4 July, 2026
Production Co-ordination             Creative Direction (Worldwide) Ltd

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Withdrawal of three 2023 Commemorative Stamp Issues

In line with the Tristan da Cunha Post Office’s policy of destroying unsold stamp stocks approximately three years after first issue, all the commemorative issues released in 2023 will be withdrawn from sale during 2026.

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100th Anniversary of the Birth of Queen Elizabeth II

21 April, 2026 marks the centenary of the birth of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

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Scenes from Tristan da Cunha - Coast

Issue date: 16th February 2026

Tristan da Cunha Stamps – Coasts

On Tristan da Cunha, the boundary between land and sea defines daily life. Sheer cliffs drop into the South Atlantic, offshore stacks stand fast against the swell, and sandy beaches offer rare access points to the vast ocean that surrounds the island. In the course of a few hours, these coastal landscapes can go from calm to angry and back again, providing an ever-changing view of Tristan's dramatic coastline.

The new "Coast" stamp issue explores this relationship through a series of perspectives taken from around the island's northern and western shores. Hillpiece, the Hardies, Flatrocks: landmarks that are as familiar as they are formidable

Description of the Stamps

65p - The Hillpiece and the Sea Stacks

This stamp is centred on the distinctive sea stack with the Hillpiece behind it, rising above the coast. Isolated rock formations like this, carved by wind and wave, are a reminder of the awesome power of the ocean. Forever battered by pounding breakers, the stacks and rocks that surround the island form a stark and enduring feature of Tristan da Cunha's rugged coastal landscape.

£1.00 - The Hillpiece and Boatharbour Bay

This stamp depicts two sea stacks jutting from the coastline, looking towards Hillpiece and Boatharbour Bay. The grassy slopes of the Hillpiece fall sharply to the sea, giving way to exposed rock and cliff faces. As the land gradually recedes to the north-east, the view is oriented in the direction of the Settlement, highlighting the dramatic coastal relief that characterises this part of Tristan da Cunha.

£2.00 - Looking towards Flatrocks and The Hardies

This stamp presents a view along the coastline towards Flatrocks and The Hardies, low-lying rocky formations continually affected by Atlantic seas. Long familiar to islanders as coastal landmarks, these features are closely associated with the changing sea conditions offshore. The composition emphasises the layered textures of rock, surf, and sky that characterise Tristan da Cunha's exposed shoreline.

£2.50 - Aerial View of the Settlement of Edinburgh

Seen from above, Edinburgh of the Seven Seas lies between the ocean and the steep cliffs behind. The layout of the Settlement contrasts sharply with the surrounding cliffs and open water, underscoring how tightly the community is framed by its environment. The aerial perspective offers a rare overview of Tristan's only village and its relationship to the coast.

FDC - Runaway Beach towards Flatrocks

The First Day Cover depicts Runaway Beach, looking along the coastline towards Flatrocks. As much of Tristan's coastline is made up of rocky shores and sheer cliffs, areas of sand are rare and especially valued. Runaway Beach is therefore one of the island's most popular beaches, particularly for picnics and swimming during time off work.

Technical Specifications

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Dogs Part 1

Issue date: 24th November 2025

Dogs Part 1

This new issue from the Tristan da Cunha Post Office is the first of a two-part series depicting the various breeds of dogs found on the island.

Dogs have been part of life on Tristan da Cunha since the very first permanent settlement, the British garrison of 1816. According to the writings of naturalist Dugald Carmichael, the early settlers used dogs to hunt the wild goats and pigs left by earlier visitors, as well as feral cats, birds, and other wildlife. They may also have helped herd livestock, though this was not explicitly recorded. These details are supported by Augustus Earle’s account of his enforced stay on Tristan in 1824; Earle himself brought a hunting dog with him when he was marooned there, although no specific breeds were mentioned in his writings.

The Reverend and Mrs. Barrow, stationed on Tristan from 1906 to 1909, brought with them a Collie named Rob (originally Whisky). In her book, Katherine Barrow recounts that Rob promptly clashed with Mrs. Frances Repetto’s white Fox Terrier. Barrow also notes that South African entrepreneur Casper Keytel, temporarily on the island, owned a well-bred Pointer called Scotty. She described the island’s dogs as “quarrelsome among themselves,” often worrying sheep, poultry, and wild birds.

A decade later, Rose Rogers, wife of another clergyman and resident in the early 1920s, referred to “a host of mongrel dogs,” and described the men taking them hunting across the island’s rugged terrain.

Many early family portraits from Tristan include dogs, reflecting their importance in island life. However, tragedy struck in 1961 when the volcano erupted and the entire community was evacuated. The dogs could not be taken to the UK due to quarantine and transport restrictions. Two puppies were rescued by HMS Leopard and affectionately named Tristan (a brindle bitch) and Cunha (a black dog). 

Fearing that the remaining dogs might turn feral and threaten livestock, those left on the island had to be humanely destroyed before the evacuation. A few, however, escaped this fate. When the Royal Society Survey took place in early 1962, it was discovered that the island’s sheep population had been almost wiped out, most likely by the surviving dogs that had gone wild during the months of abandonment. The last of these feral dogs were finally cleared by the Resettlement Survey Party in December 1962. 

When the islanders resettled, they gradually reintroduced dogs, mostly Collies and Collie-crosses, which continue to serve as loyal working companions on Tristan today. These hardy working dogs help herd sheep and catch calves, especially at Stoney Beach and The Caves, and take part in the traditional Ratting Day each year.
In recent years, however, a growing number of small “pet dogs”, such as Yorkshire Terriers and Dachshunds, have been imported from Cape Town, adding variety to the island’s canine community.

There are currently around 100 dogs on the island, almost all of them male, as there is no breeding on Tristan and only limited capacity for neutering. Dog ownership is carefully regulated: owners must obtain a licence, secure prior approval before importing a dog, and present a veterinary health certificate on arrival. With the increasing number of companion dogs being brought from Cape Town, adherence to the island’s strict importation and biosecurity rules is essential.

Veterinary services for dogs are managed by the Agriculture Department’s Veterinary and Livestock Section. Although there is no qualified veterinarian resident on the island, an island-trained “vet” with basic animal-care training is responsible for treating wounds, administering pain relief, and carrying out routine worming and flea treatments. Visiting veterinarians arrive periodically to conduct general health checks, vaccinations, and other essential procedures for both working and companion dogs.

Today, most dogs roam freely during the day, though they are expected to be kept indoors at night. While occasional incidents of sheep worrying still occur, the dogs remain an enduring part of island life: loyal helpers, companions, and a living link to Tristan’s earliest days.

This first set includes the following breeds, beautifully illustrated against Tristan backgrounds based on photographs by Julia Gunther:

65p      Jack Russell
£1.00   Rough Coat Collie
£1.10   Yorkshire Terrier
£2.50   Border Collie
FDC    Morkie (This is a cross between a Maltese and a Yorkshire Terrier).

Technical details:
Design   Andrew Robinson
Photography   Backgrounds based on photographs by Julia Gunther 
Printer        Cartor 
Process    Stochastic lithography 
Perforation     13¼ x 13 per 2cms
Stamp size     38 x 30.6mm 
Sheet layout      10 
Release date     24 November, 2025
Production Co-ordination    Creative Direction (Worldwide) Ltd

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70th Anniversary of the Gough Island Scientific Survey, 1955-56

The Gough Island Scientific Survey was the vision of John Heaney, a Cambridge engineering student who led a 1955–56 expedition to map one of the world’s most remote islands. Despite rough seas and early setbacks, the team charted Gough Island, discovered new species, and laid the groundwork for its recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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Scenes from Tristan da Cunha – Landscapes

Issue date: 20th October 2025

On Tristan da Cunha, the world’s most remote inhabited island, you are never far from a striking view. Volcanic slopes rise steeply above the Settlement, the South Atlantic stretches to the horizon, and the Potato Patches, the islanders’ lifeline of cultivated ground, spread across the plain and its green foothills. These landscapes are more than scenery: they are a record of endurance, of how the community has adapted to their environment and drawn sustenance from it for more than two centuries.

The new “Landscapes” stamp issue captures this relationship between land, sea and people. The set comprises four stamps: three highlighting iconic views from the Potato Patches, and one panoramic aerial of the Settlement framed by cliffs and Queen Mary’s Peak. Together, they celebrate not just the island’s beauty but the way islanders live within it.

65p – View from Redbody Hill
This stamp captures the sweeping view from Redbody Hill towards the ocean, looking across the fields towards the Coolers on the left and Bill’s Hill on the right. Scattered among the plots are small seed huts used by islanders during planting and harvesting, and a camping hut where island families spend weekends and holidays. The scene reflects the working rhythm of the Potato Patches, a landscape shaped by hand and where every patch has a long family history.

£1 – Evening Light over the Wash
This view looks inland towards a section of mountain slopes known as The Wash and Dick’s Hill, with Johnny Patch in the middle distance. In the foreground stands a camping hut, surrounded by grazing cattle. The warm evening light softens the cliffs’ rugged contours; a reminder of how small human presence remains amid Tristan’s monumental landscape.

£2 – Old Pieces and Hillpiece
Depicted here is the area known as Old Pieces, with the prominent Hillpiece rising behind. Seed huts and several camping huts dot the green expanse, where generations of islanders have planted and tended potatoes, the community’s staple crop. The hand-placed stonework, neat field lines, and enduring structures remind us of the islanders’ stewardship of this land and their deep connection to it.

£2.50 – Settlement and the 1961 Volcano
This aerial view shows Edinburgh of the Seven Seas, Tristan’s only village, nestled between the South Atlantic and the sheer volcanic cliffs. To the left lies the cone formed by the 1961 eruption; to the right, the Hillpiece and the lower slopes of Queen Mary’s Peak, partly veiled in cloud. Together, they frame a community that has endured disaster and isolation, yet continues to thrive in one of the world’s most extraordinary settings.

First Day Cover – Road to the Potato Patches
The First Day Cover image looks along the road to the Potato Patches at Robert’s Stone, with the Hillpiece and mountain rising in the distance. It is a familiar view for every islander, a route that links home, work, and holidays, embodying the close relationship the community has with its stunning surroundings.

Technical details:
Design    Bee Design
Photography    Julia Gunther (65p, £1, £2 & FDC), Nick Schönfeld (£2.50)
Printer    Cartor  
Process    Stochastic lithography 
Perforation    14 ½ x 14 ¼ per 2cms
Stamp size    50 x 28mm 
Sheet layout    10  
Release date     20 October, 2025
Production Co-ordination    Creative Direction (Worldwide) Ltd

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