New report documents dramatic decline in beluga sturgeon in the C...( izing 2002 catch and export quotas for ...)

izing 2002 catch and export quotas for Caspian sturgeon species. As well, the policy-making committee of CITES, which is currently chaired by the United States, will meet in mid-March in Geneva and will be addressing Caspian states progress on sturgeon conservation since it last met in June 2001. At the June 2001 meeting, CITES placed a temporary, six-month suspension on sturgeon catches, but rejected the recommendations of scientists and conservation organizations to impose significant long-term reductions on the caviar trade that are needed to help save dwindling populations of sturgeon.

In addition, the U.S. government is currently considering a petition filed by Caviar Emptor, a program of leading conservation organizations NRDC, WCS and SeaWeb to list beluga sturgeon under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, which would have the effect of banning the importation of beluga caviar into the United States. The United States is the worlds second largest importer of beluga caviar. The U.S. government has failed to meet the mandatory deadlines specified in the Endangered Species Act, Speer said. The survey results lend added urgency to the need for quick action. The government should stop dragging its feet.

For the past year, Caviar Emptor has been recommending a halt to the trade of beluga caviar as a key to the survival of the beluga sturgeon. The groups also support the long-term reduction of export quotas for other Caspian Sea sturgeon, and international funding for ongoing stock assessments and improved management and enforcement practices. A ban on the international beluga caviar trade is vital to help prevent extinction of this remarkable fish while a comprehensive restoration plan can be developed and implemented, Pikitch said.

Overfishing and illegal trade to supply the global caviar market, along with habitat loss and pollution, have decimated sturgeon populations around the world. Among the most significantly affected are sturgeon o
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Contact: Shannon Crownover
shannon@seaweb.org
202-483-9570
SeaWeb
23-Jan-2002

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