New stamps study Jersey’s oyster industry

Tuesday 14 October 2014

The colourful history of the Island’s oyster fishing industry features on a new set of stamps from Jersey Post depicting scenes both past and present by local artist Nick Parlett.

The stamps are accompanied by a prestige booklet which, alongside panes of stamps, includes detailed text written by the Head of Community Learning at Jersey Heritage, Doug Ford.

Jersey Post, Philatelic Manager Melanie Gouzinis said they were fortunate that Mr Ford was able to provide such a fascinating account of the industry.

Mr Ford said: “The Jersey oyster fisheries played an important role in the development of the Island's economic prosperity in the years following the Napoleonic Wars. Although the oyster fisheries had existed for centuries, it was during this period that they had the greatest impact on the Island. In 1810, the British government actively encouraged fishermen to increase production as part of the war effort; English fishermen began to move into the area and soon, a large-scale trade developed providing accounts of violent clashes between rival fishermen, government intervention, and typhoid along the way.”

The method of supplying oysters has changed greatly since these early days; most are farmed in the Royal Bay of Grouville benefitting from the daily natural filtering effect of Jersey’s unique tide and crystal clear water. Three main suppliers currently operate in Jersey exporting over 550 tons of oysters per year.