State Sturgeon Monopoly Won't Raise Stocks
State Sturgeon Monopoly Won't Raise Stocks
Kazakstan wants to introduce a state monopoly on caviar production and sales to preserve dwindling sturgeon stocks in the Caspian Sea, NBCentralAsia observers say a total fishing ban is needed.
Last week, head of the fishing industry committee at the agriculture ministry, Kanat Suleimenov, said that in order to preserve stock, the government will stop commercial organisations from producing and selling caviar by the end of this year.
Turkmenistan, Kazakstan, Azerbaijan, Russia and Iran all border on the Caspian and catch various species of sturgeon for their flesh and caviar. Up to 90 per cent of the world’s black caviar comes from the Caspian, but over-fishing has depleted sturgeon numbers in recent years.
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, CITES, gives every state except Iran a fishing quota which depends on its contribution to replenishing stocks. Russia’s quota is 70 per cent, Kazakstan’s 18 per cent, and Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan are allowed around six per cent each. Iran’s catch is not included in these percentages.
NBCentralAsia observers say that while the government has good intentions, poaching is so rife that its plans won’t dent the illegal caviar trade. Poachers account for at least 70 per cent of the total catch.
Political observer Berik Abdugaliev believes the government is motivated by a genuine concern for sturgeon survival rather than profit. A state monopoly will help to tighten fishing controls, combat poaching and place the entire industry under government control, he said.
However, environmentalist Mels Eleusizov said a state monopoly would not discourage poachers and the state should instead introduce an outright ban on fishing and caviar sales.
He notes that Russia has introduced such a moratorium, and says it is time for Kazakstan to do the same. The moratorium should continue until an open and transparent study has been carried out and a serious plan of action designed to save the sturgeon, he says.
(NBCentralAsia draws comment and analysis from a broad range of political observers across the region.)
Last week, head of the fishing industry committee at the agriculture ministry, Kanat Suleimenov, said that in order to preserve stock, the government will stop commercial organisations from producing and selling caviar by the end of this year.
Turkmenistan, Kazakstan, Azerbaijan, Russia and Iran all border on the Caspian and catch various species of sturgeon for their flesh and caviar. Up to 90 per cent of the world’s black caviar comes from the Caspian, but over-fishing has depleted sturgeon numbers in recent years.
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, CITES, gives every state except Iran a fishing quota which depends on its contribution to replenishing stocks. Russia’s quota is 70 per cent, Kazakstan’s 18 per cent, and Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan are allowed around six per cent each. Iran’s catch is not included in these percentages.
NBCentralAsia observers say that while the government has good intentions, poaching is so rife that its plans won’t dent the illegal caviar trade. Poachers account for at least 70 per cent of the total catch.
Political observer Berik Abdugaliev believes the government is motivated by a genuine concern for sturgeon survival rather than profit. A state monopoly will help to tighten fishing controls, combat poaching and place the entire industry under government control, he said.
However, environmentalist Mels Eleusizov said a state monopoly would not discourage poachers and the state should instead introduce an outright ban on fishing and caviar sales.
He notes that Russia has introduced such a moratorium, and says it is time for Kazakstan to do the same. The moratorium should continue until an open and transparent study has been carried out and a serious plan of action designed to save the sturgeon, he says.
(NBCentralAsia draws comment and analysis from a broad range of political observers across the region.)
