10th Anniversary of the Blue Belt Programme
Issue date: 9th September 2026
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| Mint Stamps (75p, £1.00, £1.50, £2.00) and First Day Cover, Souvenir Sheet (75p, £1.00, £1.50, £2.00 stamps) and Souvenir Sheet FDC |
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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.
Description of the Stamps
£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 Specifications
| Designer: | Bee Design | Production Co-ordination: | Creative Direction (Worldwide) Ltd |
| Photography: | 75p, £1.50 & FDC - Rodney Green; £1.00 - Andy Schofield; £2.00 - Julia Gunther | ||
| Stamp size: | 42 x 28mm | Souvenir sheet size: | 110 x 80mm |
| Printer: | Cartor Security Printing | Process: | Stochastic Lithography |
| Sheet Layout: | 10 | Perforation: | 13¼ x 13½ per 2cms |