Protect Sturgeon, Source of Black Caviar

Sturgeon have roamed our seas for nearly 200 million years, but over the last few centuries they have declined at a rapid rate because of overfishing to supply global demand for their salty roe, or caviar. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) has monitored the sturgeon and caviar trade since 1998, but its actions so far have not stemmed the decline in the species. In fact, some evidence suggests that the Caspian Sea population of beluga sturgeon experienced a 45 percent decline from 2004 to 2005. Despite CITES requirements, Caspian range states have failed to set sustainable quotas, have not fully implemented conservation strategies, and have not curtailed illegal fishing and the black market for caviar. In June 2007, member nations of CITES meet for the Conference of Parties meeting and will discuss whether to strengthen the resolution governing the global trade of sturgeon and caviar. This petition highlights the most important conservation measures needed to strengthen the international regulations for the trade to help ensure sturgeon’s long-term survival.