Sturgeon: Struggle for Survival Has Become Critical Presentation by Natasha Restivo International Environmental Law

"If you've ever had a chance to look into the eyes of a sturgeon, there are …depths there that take you back millennia; they take you back ages and ages ago. And having looked into the eyes of a sturgeon, you can fully understand that these animals swam practically unchanged from the way they are today when dinosaurs walked the earth." Christopher Letts, Hudson River Educator ©1995 Earthwave Productions - Excerpt from “Sturgeon: Ancient Survivors of the Deep”

Basic facts about sturgeon Sturgeon have survived since the days of the dinosaurs. Some species live to be more than 100 years old and can grow up to 2,500 pounds and 15 feet long. A single large sturgeon can produce hundreds of pounds of roe, though the very largest fish are extremely rare today. The fish has a slow reproduction cycle.

Historically, the Caspian Sea has been home to the world's largest abundance of sturgeon. The largest inland body of water on Earth, the Caspian is fed by more than 100 rivers.

Among 27 kinds of sturgeon the most valuable are three Caspian Sea sturgeon species -- beluga sturgeon, Russian sturgeon (osetra caviar) and stellate sturgeon (sevruga caviar) – known for their black caviar and are the ones that dominate the U.S. caviar market. 19 of 27 types of sturgeon are already locally extinct. Of the most concern is beluga sturgeon which produces beluga caviar – its populations declined 90% in the past 20 years. Experts say if situation does not improve beluga in 2 years we will lose beluga! WHY?

Sophisticated and simple, they all like caviar

REASONS FOR DEPLETION Overfishing Poaching Destruction of natural habitat

MEASURES IN 1975 Shortnose sturgeon included in Appendix I by CITES IN 1975 Shortnose sturgeon included in Appendix I by CITES 1998 another 23 species included in Appendix I 1998 another 23 species included in Appendix I 2001 Paris Agreement 2001 Paris Agreement 2004 Resolution on Conservation of and in Trade in Sturgeons and Paddlefish 2004 Resolution on Conservation of and in Trade in Sturgeons and Paddlefish April 2004 US Fish and Wildlife Service list beluga as threatened species April 2004 US Fish and Wildlife Service list beluga as threatened species January 2005 ban on caviar export January 2005 ban on caviar export World Wildlife Fund for Nature urges Russians not to eat caviar this holiday season… World Wildlife Fund for Nature urges Russians not to eat caviar this holiday season… However: However:

My holiday table

My Survey 10 out 20 people knew about the threat 2 out of 20 had sturgeon on their holiday table 19 out of 20 ready to give up sturgeon and its’ products

My suggestions Create a strict system of control Education and public information Scientific research Promote practice of farm raising Increase punishment for poaching Other options…

Alternative products as an option

Or maybe next time before eating beluga caviar think about this …and these!!!

Problems remaining Roscomrybolovstvo, Russian Fishing Committee employee: “ Yes, sturgeons in the Volga remained for a couple of years. Give us the opportunity to fish quietly till the end during these two years, and then all of them bring into the Red Book!”

Problems remaining

Thank you for your attention