Food

Since James Cook first landed on South Georgia in 1775, the island’s history has been closely related to the edible plants and animals found there. Attitudes towards food and appropriate use of natural resources have changed significantly over the subsequent 250 years, but the rich associations and stories behind food remain an important part of the islands cultural heritage.

When shore based whaling ceased in 1966, decaying infrastructure was left behind. Whalers took with them their farmed animals, leaving rats, mice, reindeer and weeds to spread unchecked across South Georgia. In the last decade, habitat restoration programs authorised by the Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands (GSGSSI) have successfully removed invasive mammals from the island and work is ongoing to eradicate many of the non-native plant species.

First Day Cover Sustainable food - Toothfish

South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands still play an important part in providing food resources. The Government has three sustainably managed world-class fisheries, all certified by the Marine Stewardship Council, the largest being toothfish which has an average recertification score of over 96%. It is recognised as being among the world’s most sustainable and best managed. Additionally, the entire South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands maritime zone is covered by conservation measures under the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR). Established in 1982 CCAMLR protects the oceans around Antarctica from over exploitation and damage by fisheries. GSGSSI have a proud record of not only adopting the CCAMLR conservation measures, but extending them. To further enhance the protection of our maritime zone in 2012 the Government announced the formation of one of the world’s largest Marine Protected Areas. Since then protection has been extended to 1.24 million square kilometres. Within this zone, fishing is heavily regulated not only to ensure healthy fish stocks, but also to ensure food availability to the higher predators such as the seabirds, seals and whales.

Technical Details

Photography:

Greater Burnet Gerard Baker

Reindeer Andy Black

Pigs Courtesy of Robert Burton

FDC Pete Lafite

Design Bee Design

Printer Cartor

Process Stochastic lithography

Perforation 13 ¼ x 13 ½ per 2cms

Stamp size 42 x 28mm

Sheet layout 10 (5 se-tenant pairs)

Release date 15 August, 2019

Production Co-ordination Creative Direction (Worldwide) Ltd