Ascension : POST OFFICE NOTICE - SPECIAL STAMP ISSUE
Submitted by The Islander (Gavin Yon) 21.07.2005 (Article Archived on 04.08.2005)

On Friday, 22 July 2005 the Post Office will release the second part of a series of special issues devoted to Sport Fishing in Ascension Island.

POST OFFICE NOTICE 

SPECIAL STAMP ISSUE

SPORT FISHING PART II - TUNAS

On Friday, 22 July 2005 the Post Office will release the second part of a series of special issues devoted to Sport Fishing in Ascension Island.  Part II depicts the Tunas and is consistent with part I in that it comprises 4 stamps and a souvenir sheet.

Depicted on the stamps is the following: (1) Yellowfin Tuna - the most common of the tuna caught in Ascension waters. Its meat is eaten and makes a significant contribution to the diet of the locals. (2)  Skipjack Tuna also known as Bonito is common and is easily identified by the horizontal stripes on the belly. The meat is dark in colour and has a stronger flavour then the other tunas. (3) Albacore Tuna is a highly migratory species, always on the move, seeking the best feeding and spawning grounds. Its meat is white and of a dry texture, it is referred to as the “chicken of the sea”. (4) Bigeye Tuna looks a lot like the Yellowfin, although there are characteristics that distinguish the two.  The Bigeye does not have the gold band on the flank and the eye is bigger.  They also swim

at greater depth then the Yellowfin and Skipjack; therefore they have more fat to insulate them from the cold water.  This tuna is not often caught at Ascension.  

The stamps are beautifully designed by Mr Nick Shewring and printed in the United Kingdom by BDT International Security Printing Limited using the four colour lithography process.  Denominations and motifs are as follows:

35p             Yellowfin Tuna  Thunnus albacares

40p            Skipjack Tuna   Katsuwonus pelamis

50p            Albacore Tuna  Thunnus alalunga

£1.25   Bigeye Tuna     Thunnus obesus

Souvenir Sheet £1.50            showing Yellowfin Tuna in a feeding frenzy
A very attractive, fully illustrated official first day cover and cancelling cachet also supports the stamps.

Mints sets of stamps at £2.50, souvenir sheets at £1.50 each and first day covers with souvenir sheet affixed at £2.00 and stamps affixed at £3.00 will be on sale at the Post Office from Friday, 22 July 2005 for a period of fifteen months provided stocks last.

I I Henry

Post Office

15/07/05