Caviar Trade Imperils Sturgeons
Caspian Sea

Most of the world’s caviar comes from endangered sturgeon in the Caspian Sea. The fish must be killed to retrieve their eggs.

Since the breakup of the Soviet Union, sturgeon poaching is rampant from the Caspian’s five bordering countries. Especially targeted are the fish that flourish in the nutrient-rich Volga River delta.

Without fishing controls, all five Caspian sturgeon species are declining. To help preserve populations, the United States may soon halt trade of the Caspian’s beluga caviar.

Image Credits
Caspian region - NASA MODIS
Caspian Sea/Volga River delta - Jeff Schmaltz, MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC
Sturgeon fishing –  Shannon Crownover, SeaWeb/Caviar Emptor
Bloody sturgeon – Christopher Pala
Caviar – Mark Gellman
Cut sturgeon - Shannon Crownover