Caviar export restrictions were lifted for the Caspian littoral states

Caviar export restrictions were lifted for the Caspian littoral states

Caspian littoral states in 2007 can export caviar other than endangered species.

All Caspian littoral states can resume exports of their previously restricted caviar species Sevruga and Osetra.

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species states that countries’ efforts to control the decline of endangered sturgeon species have improved.

Last year, the caviar export quota of four countries was banned due to insufficient information on the amount of sturgeon species, which was reduced by illegal fishing, pollution, and overfishing.

Iran was the only country that in 2006 was allowed to export about 100,000 pounds of osetra for the purpose of providing acceptable evidence.

The export quota set for 2007 by cites includes three types of sturgeon for all Caspian littoral states, including Iran, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Russia and Turkmenistan.

No quota for beluga sturgeon, which is considered an endangered species.

East Caspian exports have fallen by 15 percent since 2005, and according to cites, five countries have voluntarily reduced their caviar exports.