Tristan da Cunha - Edinburgh of the Seven Seas

The Tristan economy is self-financing, supplemented by UK Technical Co-operation support of some £300,000 each year to pay for medical services and a technical training programme.

The main source of income derives from lobster fishing operated under the terms of an exclusive concession granted by the Island Council, which also provides a regular (9 times a year) passenger/cargo service between Tristan and Cape Town. Licences are also issued for other fishing activities.

Additional revenue is derived from the sale of postage stamps and commemorative coins.

In recent years, the Government has had to draw on its Reserves to balance its annual expenditure. Reserves currently stand at well under £1m, adversely affected by a series of annual budget deficits. Strict budgetary control measures have recently been introduced to try to bring the budget back into balance. Early indications are that these are beginning to take effect.

^{Pictures courtesy of Ovenstone Agencies}