Sturgeons | Ouranos

Sturgeons
Acipenseriformes

Localisation

Northern Atlantic, Northern America, Eurasia

Threats

Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources (for Humans and animals)
Dams & water management/use
Problematic native species/diseases
Domestic & urban waste water
Industrial & military effluents
Agricultural & forestry effluents
Recreational activities
Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases
Mining & quarrying
Shipping lanes
Housing & urban areas
Commercial & industrial areas
Marine & freshwater aquaculture
Garbage & solid waste
Excess energy
Housing & urban areas
Commercial & industrial areas
Annual & perennial non-timber crops
Livestock farming & ranching
Logging & wood harvesting
Renewable energy
Droughts
Human and veterinary medicine
Manufacturing chemicals trade
Wearing apparel and accessories
Sport hunting and specimen collecting

Population

General : Decreasing

I.U.C.N. :

Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii) : C.R. - Critically endangered
Shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum) : VU - Vulnerable
Yangtze Sturgeon (Acipenser dabryanus) : E.W. - Extinct in the Wild
Lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) : EN - Endangered
Russian/Danube sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii) : C.R. - Critically endangered
Green sturgeon (Acipenser medirostris) : EN - Endangered
Sakhalin Sturgeon (Acipenser mikadoi) : C.R. - Critically endangered
Adriatic sturgon (Acipenser naccarii) : C.R. - Critically endangered
Ship Sturgeon (Acipenser nudiventris) : C.R. - Critically endangered
Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus) : VU - Vulnerable
Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus) : C.R. - Critically endangered
Sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus) : EN - Endangered
Amur Sturgeon (Acipenser schrenckii) : C.R. - Critically endangered
Chinese sturgeon (Acipenser sinensis) : C.R. - Critically endangered
Sevruga - Stellate Sturgeon (Acipenser stellatus) : C.R. - Critically endangered
European sturgeon (Acipenser sturio) : C.R. - Critically endangered
White Sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) : VU - Vulnerable

Kaluga (Huso dauricus) : C.R. - Critically endangered
Beluga sturgeon (Huso huso) : C.R. - Critically endangered

Sturgeon Chub (Macrhybopsis gelida) : L.C. - Least Concern

Chinese paddlefish (Psephurus gladius) : EX - Extinct (2019)

Small Amu-Darya Shovelnose Sturgeon (Pseudoscaphirhynchus hermanni) : C.R. - Critically endangered
Amu-Darya Shovelnose Sturgeon (Pseudoscaphirhynchus kaufmanni) : C.R. - Critically endangered

Pallid Sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus) : C.R. - Critically endangered
Shovelnose Sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus platorynchus) : VU - Vulnerable
Alabama Sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus suttkusi) : C.R. - Critically endangered

C.I.T.E.S :

Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii) : Appendix II (01/04/1998)
Shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum) : Appendix I (01/07/1975)
Yangtze Sturgeon (Acipenser dabryanus) : Appendix II (01/04/1998)
Lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) : Appendix II (01/04/1998)
Russian/Danube sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii) : Appendix II (01/04/1998)
Green sturgeon (Acipenser medirostris) : Appendix II (01/04/1998)
Sakhalin Sturgeon (Acipenser mikadoi) : Appendix II (01/04/1998)
Adriatic sturgeon (Acipenser naccarii) : Appendix II (01/04/1998)
Ship Sturgeon (Acipenser nudiventris) : Appendix II (01/04/1998)
Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus) : Appendix II (01/04/1998)
Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus) : Appendix II (01/04/1998)
Sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus) : Appendix II (01/04/1998)
Amur Sturgeon (Acipenser schrenckii) : Appendix II (01/04/1998)
Chinese sturgeon (Acipenser sinensis) : Appendix II (01/04/1998)
Stellate Sturgeon (Acipenser stellatus) : Appendix II (01/04/1998)
European sturgeon (Acipenser sturio) : Appendix I (29/07/1983)
White Sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) : Appendix II (01/04/1998)

Kaluga (Huso dauricus) : Appendix II (01/04/1998)
Beluga sturgeon (Huso huso) : Appendix II (01/04/1998)

Sturgeon Chub (Macrhybopsis gelida) : Not Indexed

Chinese paddlefish (Psephurus gladius) : Appendix II (01/04/1998)

Small Amu-Darya Shovelnose Sturgeon (Pseudoscaphirhynchus hermanni) : Appendix II (01/04/1998)
Amu-Darya Shovelnose Sturgeon (Pseudoscaphirhynchus kaufmanni) : Appendix II (01/04/1998)

Pallid Sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus) : Appendix II (01/04/1998)
Shovelnose Sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus platorynchus) : Appendix II (01/04/1998)
Alabama Sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus suttkusi) : Appendix II (01/04/1998)

EU Wildlife Trade Regulations :

Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii) : Annex B (20/05/2023)
Shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum) : Annex A (20/05/2023)
Yangtze Sturgeon (Acipenser dabryanus) : Annex B (20/05/2023)
Lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) : Annex B (20/05/2023)
Russian/Danube sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii) : Annex B (20/05/2023)
Green sturgeon (Acipenser medirostris) : Annex B (20/05/2023)
Sakhalin Sturgeon (Acipenser mikadoi) : Annex B (20/05/2023)
Adriatic sturgeon (Acipenser naccarii) : Annex B (20/05/2023)
Ship Sturgeon (Acipenser nudiventris) : Annex B (20/05/2023)
Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus) : Annex B (20/05/2023)
Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus) : Annex B (20/05/2023)
Sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus) : Annex B (20/05/2023)
Amur Sturgeon (Acipenser schrenckii) : Annex B (20/05/2023)
Chinese sturgeon (Acipenser sinensis) : Annex B (20/05/2023)
Stellate Sturgeon (Acipenser stellatus) : Annex B (20/05/2023)
European sturgeon (Acipenser sturio) : Annex A (20/05/2023)
White Sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) : Annex B (20/05/2023)

Kaluga (Huso dauricus) : Annex B (20/05/2023)
Beluga sturgeon (Huso huso) : Annex B (20/05/2023)

Chinese paddlefish (Psephurus gladius) : Annex B (20/05/2023)

Sturgeon Chub (Macrhybopsis gelida) : Not Indexed

Small Amu-Darya Shovelnose Sturgeon (Pseudoscaphirhynchus hermanni) : Annex B (20/05/2023)
Amu-Darya Shovelnose Sturgeon (Pseudoscaphirhynchus kaufmanni) : Annex B (20/05/2023)

Pallid Sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus) : Annex B (20/05/2023)
Shovelnose Sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus platorynchus) : Annex B (20/05/2023)
Alabama Sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus suttkusi) : Annex B (20/05/2023)

Trade

International :

CITES : cf. previously
Bonn Convention (1979) : Protects migratory species, including the sturgeon, under Annexes I and II.
Berne Convention (1979) : Ensures conservation of wildlife in Europe, listing the sturgeon under Annex II.
OSPAR Convention (1992) : Focuses on the marine environment of the Northeast Atlantic, identifying sturgeon as a species in decline.

Afghanistan :

CITES (17/05/2013)

All exports are suspended.

Azerbaijan :

Resolution of the Conference of the Parties

Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus) :

Quota : 0 (2024) Caviar, meat and products [Caspian sea] - Quota year runs from 1st March 2024 through 28 February 2025

UE decision : SRG Referral ; W - Wild (07/11/2016)

Beluga sturgeon (Huso huso) :

Quota : 0 (2024) Caviar, meat and products [Caspian sea] - Quota year runs from 1st March 2024 through 28 February 2025

UE decision : SRG Referral ; W - Wild (07/11/2016)

Ship Sturgeon (Acipenser nudiventris) :

Quota : 0 (2024) Caviar, meat and products [Caspian sa] - Quota year runs from 1st March 2024 through 28 February 2025

Stellate Sturgeon (Acipenser stellatus) :

Quota : 0 (2024) Caviar, meat and products [Caspian sea] - Quota year runs from 1st March 2024 through 28 February 2025

EU decision : Negative ; W - Wild (13/12/2010)

Sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus) :

Quota : 0 (2024) Caviar, meat and products [Caspian sea] - Quota year runs from 1st March 2024 through 28 February 2025

Russian/Danube sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii) :

Quota : 0 (2024) Caviar, meat and products [Caspian sea] - Quota year runs from 1st March 2024 through 28 February 2025

UE decision : Negative ; W - Wild (03/12/2010)

Bulgaria :

Resolution of the Conference of the Parties

Beluga sturgeon (Huso huso) :

Quota : 0 (2024) Caviar and meat [North West Black Sea and Lower Danube River] - Quota year runs from 1st March 2024 through 28 February 2025

Ship Sturgeon (Acipenser nudiventris) :

Quota : 0 (2024) Caviar and meat [North West Black Sea and Lower Danube River] - Quota year runs from 1st March 2024 through 28 February 2025

Stellate Sturgeon (Acipenser stellatus) :

Quota : 0 (2024) Caviar and meat [North West Black Sea and Lower Danube River] - Quota year runs from 1st March 2024 through 28 February 2025

Sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus) :

Quota : 0 (2024) Caviar and meat [North West Black Sea and Lower Danube River] - Quota year runs from 1st March 2024 through 28 February 2025

Russian/Danube sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii) :

Quota : 0 (2024) Caviar and meat [North West Black Sea and Lower Danube River] - Quota year runs from 1st March 2024 through 28 February 2025

Canada :

Resolution of the Conference of the Parties

Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus) :

Quota : 0 (2024) Caviar and meat [Saint John River/Bay of Fundy] - Quota year runs from 1st March 2024 through 28 February 2025

China (PRC) :

Resolution of the Conference of the Parties

Kaluga (Huso dauricus) :

Quota : 0 (2024) Caviar and meat [Amur/Heilongjiang River] - Quota year runs from 1st March 2024 through 28 February 2025

UE decision : SRG Referral ; W - Wild (07/11/2016)

Amur Sturgeon (Acipenser schrenckii) :

Quota : 0 (2024) Caviar and meat [Amur/Heilongjiang River] - Quota year runs from 1st March 2024 through 28 February 2025

UE decision : SRG Referral ; W - Wild (07/11/2016)

European Union :

Habitats Directive (Directive 92/43/EEC, 1992):
- Annex II: Requires the designation of special conservation zones for sturgeon.
- Annex IV: Mandates strict protection of species against disturbances and habitat damage.
Six French sites, including the Garonne and Dordogne rivers, are Natura 2000 sites designated for sturgeon conservation.
Council Regulation (EC) No. 338/97: Controls the trade of wildlife species, listing sturgeon under Annex A, prohibiting international trade except for scientific purposes.

France :

Article L436-9 of the Environmental Code (31/12/2006)

The administrative authority responsible for freshwater fisheries may authorise the capture, transport or sale of fish at any time, for health, scientific and ecological purposes, in particular to enable them to be rescued, counted, reproduced, to promote restocking and to remedy biological imbalances:

under national legislation, its transport and release only require a "fishing" permit under - Article L436-9 of the Environmental Code, instructed by the DDT in charge of freshwater fishing.

Article L.432-1 of the Environmental Code

Prohibits activities that threaten spawning grounds and aquatic species.

Arrêté of December 20, 2004

Bans the fishing, selling, and habitat destruction of sturgeon nationwide.

Arrêté of April 14, 1981

Targeted specific areas like the Gironde estuary.

Article L.321-8 of the Environmental Code:

Limits material extraction to prevent the destruction of critical aquatic habitats.

Decree No. 2008-283 of March 25, 2008

Protects spawning and feeding areas for sturgeon and other aquatic species.

Arrêté of September 22, 1994

Prohibits quarrying in riverbeds to maintain ecosystem integrity.

Arrêté of April 1, 2008

Sets technical standards for freshwater aquaculture to prevent environmental harm.

Local Orders for Habitat Protection:

Prefectural Decree of November 7, 1985:

Protects sturgeon spawning areas in the Lot-et-Garonne section of the Garonne River.

Prefectural Decree of April 17, 1990

Safeguards spawning zones in the Gironde section of the Garonne.

Additional decrees from 2013 to 2014 inventory key spawning and feeding zones for enforcement under Article L.432-3 of the Environmental Code.

Given the conservation measures for sturgeon, exports of caviar from wild animals have been banned since 2011.

Iran :

Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus) :

Quota : 0 (2024) Caviar and meat [Caspian sea] - Quota year runs from 1st March 2024 through 28 February 2025

UE decision : Negative ; W - Wild (03/12/2010)

Beluga sturgeon (Huso huso) :

Quota : 0 (2024) Caviar and meat [Caspian sea] - Quota year runs from 1st March 2024 through 28 February 2025

UE decision : SRG Referral ; W - Wild (07/03/2016)

Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii) :

Quota : 0 (2024) Caviar and meat [Caspian sea] - Quota year runs from 1st March 2024 through 28 February 2025

UE decision : Discussed at SRG; W - C - Captive-bred animals (19/09/2023)

Ship Sturgeon (Acipenser nudiventris) :

Quota : 0 (2024) Caviar and meat [Caspian sea] - Quota year runs from 1st March 2024 through 28 February 2025

Stellate Sturgeon (Acipenser stellatus) :

Quota : 0 (2024) Caviar and meat [Caspian sea] - Quota year runs from 1st March 2024 through 28 February 2025

EU decision : Negative ; W - Wild (03/12/2010)

Sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus) :

Quota : 0 (2024) Caviar and meat [Caspian sea] - Quota year runs from 1st March 2024 through 28 February 2025

Russian/Danube sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii) :

Quota : 0 (2024) Caviar and meat [Caspian sea] - Quota year runs from 1st March 2024 through 28 February 2025

UE decision : Negative ; W - Wild (03/12/2010)

Kazakhstan :

Resolution of the Conference of the Parties

Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus) :

Quota : 0 (2024) Caviar and meat [Caspian sea] - Quota year runs from 1st March 2024 through 28 February 2025

UE decision : SRG Referral ; W - Wild (07/11/2016)

Beluga sturgeon (Huso huso) :

Quota : 0 (2024) Caviar and meat [Caspian sea] - Quota year runs from 1st March 2024 through 28 February 2025

UE decision : SRG Referral ; W - Wild (07/03/2016)

Ship Sturgeon (Acipenser nudiventris) :

Quota : 0 (2024) Caviar and meat [Caspian sea] - Quota year runs from 1st March 2024 through 28 February 2025

EU decision : Positive (15/05/2002)

Stellate Sturgeon (Acipenser stellatus) :

Quota : 0 (2024) Caviar and meat [Caspian sea] - Quota year runs from 1st March 2024 through 28 February 2025

EU decision : Negative ; W - Wild (14/09/2010)

Sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus) :

Quota : 0 (2024) Caviar and meat [Caspian sea] - Quota year runs from 1st March 2024 through 28 February 2025

Russian/Danube sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii) :

Quota : 0 (2024) Caviar and meat [Caspian sea] - Quota year runs from 1st March 2024 through 28 February 2025

UE decision : Negative ; W - Wild (14/09/2010)

Romania :

Resolution of the Conference of the Parties

Beluga sturgeon (Huso huso) :

Quota : 0 (2024) Caviar and meat [North West Black Sea and Lower Danube River] - Quota year runs from 1st March 2024 through 28 February 2025

Ship Sturgeon (Acipenser nudiventris) :

Quota : 0 (2024) Caviar and meat [North West Black Sea and Lower Danube River] - Quota year runs from 1st March 2024 through 28 February 2025

Stellate Sturgeon (Acipenser stellatus) :

Quota : 0 (2024) Caviar and meat [North West Black Sea and Lower Danube River] - Quota year runs from 1st March 2024 through 28 February 2025

Sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus) :

Quota : 0 (2024) Caviar and meat [North West Black Sea and Lower Danube River] - Quota year runs from 1st March 2024 through 28 February 2025

Russian/Danube sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii) :

Quota : 0 (2024) Caviar and meat [North West Black Sea and Lower Danube River] - Quota year runs from 1st March 2024 through 28 February 2025

Russia :

Resolution of the Conference of the Parties

Kaluga (Huso dauricus)

Quota : 0 (2024) Caviar and meat [Amur/Heilongjiang River] - Quota year runs from 1st March 2024 through 28 February 2025

UE decision : SRG Referral ; W - Wild (07/11/2016)

Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus) :

Quota : 0 (2024) Caviar and meat [Caspian sea] - Quota year runs from 1st March 2024 through 28 February 2025

UE decision : SRG Referral ; W - Wild (07/11/2016)

Beluga sturgeon (Huso huso) :

Quota : 0 (2024) Caviar and meat [Caspian sea] - Quota year runs from 1st March 2024 through 28 February 2025

UE decision : SRG Referral ; W - Wild (07/03/2016)

Ship Sturgeon (Acipenser nudiventris) :

Quota : 0 (2024) Caviar and meat [Azov sea] - Quota year runs from 1st March 2024 through 28 February 2025

Quota : 0 (2024) Caviar and meat [Caspian sea] - Quota year runs from 1st March 2024 through 28 February 2025

Stellate Sturgeon (Acipenser stellatus) :

Quota : 0 (2024) Caviar and meat [Azov sea] - Quota year runs from 1st March 2024 through 28 February 2025

Quota : 0 (2024) Caviar and meat [Caspian sea] - Quota year runs from 1st March 2024 through 28 February 2025

EU decision : Negative ; W - Wild (14/09/2010)

Amur Sturgeon (Acipenser schrenckii) :

Quota : 0 (2024) Caviar and meat [Amur/Heilongjiang River] - Quota year runs from 1st March 2024 through 28 February 2025

UE decision : SRG Referral ; W - Wild (07/11/2016)

Sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus) :

Quota : 0 (2024) Caviar and meat [Azov sea] - Quota year runs from 1st March 2024 through 28 February 2025

Quota : 0 (2024) Caviar and meat [Caspian sea] - Quota year runs from 1st March 2024 through 28 February 2025

Russian/Danube sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii) :

Quota : 0 (2024) Caviar and meat [Azov sea] - Quota year runs from 1st March 2024 through 28 February 2025

Quota : 0 (2024) Caviar and meat [Caspian sea] - Quota year runs from 1st March 2024 through 28 February 2025

UE decision : Negative ; W - Wild (14/09/2010)

Serbia :

Resolution of the Conference of the Parties

Beluga sturgeon (Huso huso) :

Quota : 0 (2024) Caviar and meat [North West Black Sea and Lower Danube River] - Quota year runs from 1st March 2024 through 28 February 2025

Ship Sturgeon (Acipenser nudiventris) :

Quota : 0 (2024) Caviar and meat [North West Black Sea and Lower Danube River] - Quota year runs from 1st March 2024 through 28 February 2025

Stellate Sturgeon (Acipenser stellatus) :

Quota : 0 (2024) Caviar and meat [North West Black Sea and Lower Danube River] - Quota year runs from 1st March 2024 through 28 February 2025

Sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus) :

Quota : 0 (2024) Caviar and meat [North West Black Sea and Lower Danube River] - Quota year runs from 1st March 2024 through 28 February 2025

Russian/Danube sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii) :

Quota : 0 (2024) Caviar and meat [North West Black Sea and Lower Danube River] - Quota year runs from 1st March 2024 through 28 February 2025

Turkmenistan :

Resolution of the Conference of the Parties

Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus) :

Quota : 0 (2024) Caviar and meat [Caspian sea] - Quota year runs from 1st March 2024 through 28 February 2025

UE decision : SRG Referral ; W - Wild (07/11/2016)

Beluga sturgeon (Huso huso) :

Quota : 0 (2024) Caviar and meat [Caspian sea] - Quota year runs from 1st March 2024 through 28 February 2025

Ship Sturgeon (Acipenser nudiventris) :

Quota : 0 (2024) Caviar and meat [Caspian sea] - Quota year runs from 1st March 2024 through 28 February 2025

Stellate Sturgeon (Acipenser stellatus) :

Quota : 0 (2024) Caviar and meat [Caspian sea] - Quota year runs from 1st March 2024 through 28 February 2025

Sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus) :

Quota : 0 (2024) Caviar and meat [Caspian sea] - Quota year runs from 1st March 2024 through 28 February 2025

Russian/Danube sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii) :

Quota : 0 (2024) Caviar and meat [Caspian sea] - Quota year runs from 1st March 2024 through 28 February 2025

Ukraine :

Resolution of the Conference of the Parties

Beluga sturgeon (Huso huso) :

Quota : 0 (2024) Caviar and meat [North West Black Sea and Lower Danube River] - Quota year runs from 1st March 2024 through 28 February 2025

Quota : 0 (2024) Caviar and meat [Azov sea] - Quota year runs from 1st March 2024 through 28 February 2025

Ship Sturgeon (Acipenser nudiventris) :

Quota : 0 (2024) Caviar and meat [North West Black Sea and Lower Danube River] - Quota year runs from 1st March 2024 through 28 February 2025

Quota : 0 (2024) Caviar and meat [Azov sea] - Quota year runs from 1st March 2024 through 28 February 2025

Stellate Sturgeon (Acipenser stellatus) :

Quota : 0 (2024) Caviar and meat [North West Black Sea and Lower Danube River] - Quota year runs from 1st March 2024 through 28 February 2025

Quota : 0 (2024) Caviar and meat [Azov sea] - Quota year runs from 1st March 2024 through 28 February 2025

Sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus) :

Quota : 0 (2024) Caviar and meat [North West Black Sea and Lower Danube River] - Quota year runs from 1st March 2024 through 28 February 2025

Quota : 0 (2024) Caviar and meat [Azov sea] - Quota year runs from 1st March 2024 through 28 February 2025

Russian/Danube sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii) :

Quota : 0 (2024) Caviar and meat [North West Black Sea and Lower Danube River] - Quota year runs from 1st March 2024 through 28 February 2025

Quota : 0 (2024) Caviar and meat [Azov sea] - Quota year runs from 1st March 2024 through 28 February 2025

United States :

NOTIFICATION TO THE PARTIES No. 2014/036 (11/08/2014)

The United States wishes to inform CITES Parties that the following species of sturgeon were listed as Endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act :

Acipenser naccarii (Adriatic sturgeon)
Acipenser sturio (European sturgeon) in western Europe
Acipenser sinensis (Chinese sturgeon) in the Yangtze River basin
Acipenser mikadoi (Sakhalin sturgeon)
Huso dauricus (Kaluga sturgeon) in the Amur River Basin/Sea of Japan/Sea of Okhotsk region.

The new listing makes it illegal to import into or export from the United States any of these sturgeon species, including live or dead specimens, parts or products. It also provides for various domestic prohibitions.

Resolution of the Conference of the Parties

Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus) :

Quota : 0 (2024) Caviar and meat [Saint John River/Bay of Fundy] - Quota year runs from 1st March 2024 through 28 February 2025

Shovelnose Sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus platorynchus) :

EU decision : Positive ; W - Wild (22/06/2011)

Uzbekistan :

Amu-Darya Shovelnose Sturgeon (Pseudoscaphirhynchus kaufmanni) :

UE decision : SRG Referral ; W - Wild (12/09/2013)

Caviar : legal and illegal trade

Caviar, a luxury product derived from the roe of sturgeons and paddlefish, is strictly regulated under international law to prevent illegal trade and protect endangered species. These regulations are enforced through the CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) labelling system.

CITES Labelling Requirements :

Applicability:
- The labelling requirements apply exclusively to sturgeon and paddlefish caviar.
- "Caviar substitutes" or roe from non-CITES-listed fish are not regulated under CITES.
Labelling System:
- Every container of caviar—whether from wild-caught or farmed sources—must have a non-reusable label.
- The label must either seal the container or be affixed in a way that shows evidence of tampering.
Information on Labels:
Labels must include detailed information to ensure traceability:
- Species Code: A three-letter identifier for the sturgeon species (e.g., BAE for Acipenser baerii).
- Source Code: Indicates whether the caviar is wild-caught or farmed.
- Country of Origin Code: ISO two-letter code for the country of origin.
- Year of Harvest/Repackaging: The year when the sturgeon was harvested or the caviar was repackaged.
- Processing/Repackaging Plant Code: A unique code for the plant, following national registration systems.
- Lot Number or CITES Export/Re-Export Certificate Number: Tracks the caviar batch and ensures compliance with trade permits.
Licensing and Oversight:
- All caviar processors, exporters, and repackagers must be licensed by their national CITES management authority.
- Processing and repackaging plants must adhere to national and international standards.

Legislative Protections in Practice :

Consumer Role:
- Labels enable consumers to distinguish legal caviar from illegal products, helping combat wildlife trafficking.
EU Compliance:
- Since May 2006, the European Union has made the CITES labelling system mandatory for both domestic and international caviar trade.
Farmed Caviar Concerns:
- Aquaculture is a rapidly growing sector, especially in countries like Bulgaria and Romania.
- While farming can support local economies and conserve wild sturgeons, it may also be exploited to launder illegally sourced caviar.

Impact on Illegal Trade :

The standardized CITES labelling system is a critical tool for law enforcement to trace the origin of caviar, prevent the laundering of illegal products, and safeguard endangered sturgeon species. By requiring transparent labelling and licensing, the trade regulations aim to protect wild sturgeon populations while supporting sustainable aquaculture practices.

This system serves as a model for combating illegal wildlife trade by ensuring that consumers and authorities can trace caviar back to its legitimate source.

The Danube River is the last European stronghold for functional populations of sturgeon, including beluga, Russian, stellate, and sterlet sturgeons. However, illegal fishing and trade, coupled with habitat destruction, have pushed these species toward extinction. Despite strict regulations, illegal sturgeon trade thrives, endangering these ancient fish.

Illegal Trade and Violations (Ludwig et al., 2023)

Wild-Caught Sturgeon Products:
- A market survey across Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia, and Ukraine revealed 21% of sturgeon products (meat and caviar) came from wild-caught sturgeons, despite fishing bans in the Danube and Black Sea.
- DNA and isotope analysis confirmed these findings, with sterlet being the most common species detected.
CITES and EU Labeling Violations:
- 29% of caviar samples violated international and EU wildlife trade regulations. Issues included:
  - Missing or incorrect CITES labels.
  - Mislabeled products, such as falsely claiming wild origin or misidentifying species.
  - Poor compliance with packaging requirements, where labels did not properly seal containers.
- Some products declared as sturgeon were revealed to be substitutes, including European catfish and Nile perch.
Consumer Deception:
- Products from aquaculture were falsely marketed as wild-caught, indicating high demand for wild sturgeon.
- A sample from Ukraine, declared as sterlet caviar, was synthetic, containing DNA from hybrid species commonly farmed in China.

Conservation and Enforcement Issues

Poaching Threatens Populations:
- Wild-caught sturgeon products highlight the severe impact of poaching, which undermines conservation efforts and threatens the survival of Danube sturgeons.
- The lack of spawning partners, caused by dams and habitat loss, increases hybridization, further endangering populations.
Weak Enforcement:
- Insufficient controls and enforcement allow the illegal trade to flourish.
- Issues include limited resources, low political priority, inadequate laboratory technology, and corruption.
Selective Fishing:
- While the study found no evidence of sex-selective fishing among analyzed meat samples, scientific monitoring in Romania indicated a concerning bias toward males, possibly signaling underreporting of female catches.