An Post is set to launch two fresh stamps showcasing the diverse marine flora and fauna surrounding Ireland’s coastal and river zones. The artistry of these Europa stamps, which will be unveiled before World Ocean Day on June 8th, is all thanks to Shevaun Doherty, a botanical illustrator and art instructor hailing from Kildare.
One of these stamps, intended for domestic use, highlights the Carrageen moss. This vibrant, fan-shaped marine plant, known for its medicinal properties and edible qualities, proliferates along the Irish coast and has been used as a crucial fertiliser for hundreds of years.
The other stamp, designated for international post, features the compass jellyfish, a prevalent species crucial to local biodiversity. It plays a significant ecological role by sheltering young fish within its tentacles and acts as an essential food source for sea turtles and sunfish.
An Post is inviting the public to participate in its upcoming Beach and Waterways Clean-Up Day where the two marine-themed stamps will be issued on the 6th of June. Freshwater bodies such as streams, rivers, floodplains, lakes, and swamps in Europe’s realms are habitats to approximately 100,000 animal and plant species, with over 33,000 aquatic species residing in European seas.
This manpower-intensive cleaning drive, scheduled for next month, is sponsored by waste management firm Panda, which will deploy 1100 litre containers in eight different areas across the country.
Numerous wildlife conservation and biodiversity institutions and specialists are endorsing this initiative. Among them are young marine conservationist Flossie Donnelly of Flossie and the Beach Cleaners, sustainable dining advocate JP McMahon, and multi-talented environmentalist, educator, author, and biologist Éanna Ní Lamhna. Notably, An Post’s own Francesco De Marchis from the Balbriggan DSU unit will be taking part in the event with Nico De Marchis, his 11-year-old son.
Nicola Woods, the Chief Transformation Officer at An Post, emphasised the double significance of the marine life-themed stamps and the cleaning project – to embody their credo of serving the collective benefit and augmenting the Irish way of life for present and future generations.
Bins will be positioned by Panda at several specified locations which include Lough Ree in Athlone, Rathmullan Beach in Donegal, Portmarnock Beach in Dublin, Garretstown Beach based in Kinsale, Banna Beach located in Kerry, the Rosslare Strand in Wexford, Enniscrone in Sligo, and Clogher Head in Co Louth. In comments made by Shevaun Doherty, the designer of the stamp, she mentioned that having jellyfish and seaweed is actually indicative of a thriving marine ecosystem despite their negative perception. Doherty further stated that while these creatures possess the ability to sting, this is usually not severe and does not pose a higher threat than a bee sting.