The Caspian’s Black Pearl

Iran’s fishing and export quantity and management of caviar sturgeon stocks are widely recognized internationally.

Iran’s high quality caviar comes at a high price naturally. As an extension of this fact, its procurement and export require high levels of supervision and control. Mohammad Reza Husseini, Managing Director of Iran’s Commercial Fishing Company stated that fishing and exporting caviar and sturgeon is under government monopoly and can only exclusively be practiced by the public sector and Iran’s Fishery Organization (IFO) or fisheries operating under its jurisdiction.

Caviar’s high financial value however, encourages many to turn to illegal fishing. The IFO has set up a special unit for the protection of marine life on the northern shores of Iran and has effectively sealed off and controlled the sturgeon stocks at the location. Correspondence and special agreements have even been reached with the judicial system to confront possible offenders.

The Convention for Inspection of Trade of Endangered Species (CITES) allocates quotas for the exploitation of marine life and the fishing of caviar sturgeon, to prevent over fishing and its extinction. Iran was allocated a 75 tons limit for five varieties of caviar sturgeon in 2002. CITES believes the main reason for the decline of the fish type is over-fishing by the newly-independent countries bordering Iran and the Caspian Sea. Illegal fishing, lack of adequate fish-farming and cultivation, and not releasing young fish were recounted as other elements responsible in the decline.

The IFO stated its readiness to allow participation by the private sector in the cultivation of caviar sturgeon. About 20% of caviar fishing takes place in the Gilan province and the rest in the two provinces of Mazandaran and Golestan, with the latter having the highest percentage out of all three.

Naser Ektayi, Marketing Manager of Iran’s Commercial Fishing Company, said that Iran’s caviar is marketed in European countries such as Switzerland, France, Germany, Spain, Belgium and Luxembourg. The Asian market for Iranian caviar consists of Japan and Hong Kong. A portion of Iran’s caviar is also sold to America. The quality of Iranian caviar is recognized worldwide and Iranian caviar currently occupies the first place position compared to other caviar-producing countries. Iran’s fishing and export quantity and management of caviar sturgeon stocks are widely recognized internationally.