26 May 2024
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Guernsey Stamps have released their Europa 2024 issue based on the theme Underwater Fauna and Flora.
Guernsey's Europa 2024 stamps
The new set of 6 stamps shows the vast array of sea creatures and plants that occupy Guernsey’s waves. The Europa 2024 stamp issue has been designed by Chloe Sarre and combine the hand drawn illustrations of Wendy Bramall with underwater photographs by Sue Daly.
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The stamps can be purchased directly from Guernsey Stamps, prices begin at just £2.56 for a mini-souvenir sheet. Other products available in this issue include a presentation pack, first day cover and set of 6 stamps.
Above: The Europa 2024 release has been designed by Chloe Sarre using illustrations by Wendy Bramall and photographs by Sue Daly
Included in the Europa 2024 stamp issue are the Ormer (Haliotis tuberculata) on the 65p stamp. Ormers are a single-shelled gastropod that feed on algae and can only be found in the Channel Islands and the neighbouring coast of France. Ormers are a local delicacy in Guernsey and are collected from the shore during low tides, known locally as ormering tides.
The Crawfish (Palinurus elephas) is featured on the 88p stamp and is the largest crustacean in the Channel Islands. Once abundantly seen, Crawfish were heavily overfished during the 1960s but numbers made an unexpected recovery in 2014 and they’re not a regular sight in Guernsey’s waters. The £1.20 stamp shows the Yellow Cluster Anemone (Parazoanthus axinellae) which is a yellow, colonial anemone found in Guernsey’s waters.
Above: The Europa 2024 stamp issue showcase sea creatures and plants found in Guernsey's waters
Related article: Underwater Fauna and Flora
Pink Sea Fans (Eunicella verrucosa) are depicted on the £1.36 stamp. The colour of these gorgonian corals vary from white to deep pink and comprises a colony of individual animals, or polyps, which share a hard skeleton. Most Pink Sea Fans grow to a height of around 25cm, but some have been recorded at 50cm tall and 1m across. The Cuckoo Wrasse (Labrus mixtus) is shown on the £1.68 stamp. They are highly colourful fish, but males and females are very distinctive. The female is slightly smaller and is orangey-pink in colour with black and white blotches on her back. In contrast, the male has electric blue markings on his head and orange fins. Cuckoo Wrasse are found in rocky areas on Guernsey’s coastline and have powerful teeth and jaws capable of crushing shells.
Above: Also available in this issue is a First Day Cover
The £1.74 stamp is dedicated to the Red Starfish (Fromia milleporella). Bright red or brick red in colour, its round arms have small feet with suckers on the end, which it uses to move around and feed on organic particles from the sea bottom. The species is one of the most common starfish found in the Mediterranean but in British waters it is only ever found in the Channel Islands.
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