2017

East Antarctic Deep Sea Creatures

First Day Cover

The Australian Antarctic Territory is located 3,000 kilometres to the south of the Australian continent. The huge continent of Antarctica occupies 13.5 million square kilometres and of this area, the vast Australian Antarctic Territory makes up around six million square kilometres. This region, almost entirely covered with permanent ice and snow, is equivalent to around 75% of the land mass of Australia. The AAT was placed under Australian administration in 1933 and today Australia maintains three permanently manned scientific stations on its Antarctic territories and a fourth on subantarctic Macquarie Island.

East Antarctica makes up two-thirds of the Antarctic continent and includes the 5.9 million square kilometres of the Australian Antarctic Territory. The East Antarctic ice sheet flows off the Antarctic continent into the surrounding Southern Ocean. Many species, including penguins, seals, seabirds, corals and fish rely on this pristine environment for survival. This stamp issue features several deep sea creatures that contribute to the unique biodiversity of the waters off East Antarctica.

Technical details

• Issue date: 7 March 2017
• FDI withdrawal date: 4 April 2017
• Denominations: 2 x $1, 2 x $2
• Stamp and minisheet design: Stacey Zass, page 12 design
• Product design: John White
• Printer: Ego
• Paper (gummed): Tullis Russell Red Phosphor
• Printing process: Offset lithography
• Stamp size: 35mm x 35mm
• Perforations: 14.28 x 14.28
• Sheet layout: Module of 50
• FDI postmark: Kingston Tas 7050
• Issue withdrawal date: 30 September 2017