About Illinois Sturgeon Caviar

Contents

• Introduction
• History of Caviar Fisheries and Aquaculture
• American Sturgeon Fisheries and Aquaculture
• Taste Comparison and Character
• Conclusion

Introduction

            a. World overview and culinary descriptions

It is generally accepted that there are twenty four species of sturgeon and five subspecies in existence today. Sturgeons have been wandering the planet since the days of the dinosaurs. Humans instinctively found a use for the sturgeon as cooked meat and discovered the eggs were a source of protein that could be preserved with salt. Cossacks of the Steppe historically traveled with pressed caviar as it kept over substantial periods of time. Sturgeon meat is regarded as among the finest for all cooking methods and for smoking in particular.  The unique texture has been referred to as the “veal of the sea”.

King Edward II of England regarded the fish as a symbol of the royal crown, and all caught fish were to be reported to the king.The swim bladder of sturgeon can be made into a gelatin called isinglass, which is used to clarify wine and beer, as a waterproofing material, or as a fixative for oil paints. Isinglass is an important contributing factor as to why some of the “old Master” works have aged so well. Sturgeon skins can be tanned and used for clothing and accessories.  

Traditionally, caviar has been appreciated for its richness and subtle flavors developed in processing. Some of the more important factors involve the animal's diet, living environment, age, and fecundity.

  Most sturgeon caviar is graded for several different qualities. A majority is produced as malossol  (Russian for “little salt”, less salt is an indication of high quality)

2. History of natural fishery and implementation of aquaculture practices.

            CITES Convention of International Trade of Endangered Species is the governing body which passes laws regarding the importation of endangered species harvested for commercial trade in the US. An ongoing struggle with the current states of the natural fisheries in the Caspian Sea has called for authorities to not accept wild caught beluga sturgeon caviar

Authors note*

 To date however, no such law has been passed. Typical bureaucracy. Too many political favors owed amongst foreign service in my opinion.

For my own part I have decided to simply not buy any caviar but the Sturgeon caviar from Illinois. (Well managed and sustainable.) More importantly, I feel that the product is indisputably fresher and I happen to think it tastes better as well. My exclusive source captures  the fish and processes the caviar. They are haacp certified and regulated by the FDA.

 BBC News Article on Caspian Sea Caviar - By Corinne Podger

 Wednesday, 14 August, 2002, 14:21 GMT 15:21 UK The unrelenting pressure of black market and shady fisheries management practices in the Caspian Sea have lead US consumers elsewhere for fulfilling their sturgeon caviars.

BBC science correspondent “An estimated 95% of the world's caviar comes from the Caspian. But the problems besetting this landlocked central Asian sea are multiplying.”http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/2528557.stm (By Alex Kirby BBC News Online environment correspondent in Atyrau, Kazakhstan)

 Monday, 2 December, 2002, 09:40 GMT

            Environmental effects and ecological damage:

In many commercial fisheries, sturgeon  die when the eggs are taken. The ovary is destroyed and the fish can no longer reproduce. There is the exception of caesarean removal but this is not widely practiced.

Lack of effective management, habitat degradation, biological vulnerability, over-harvesting, and illegal trade, have all heightened public awareness of the Caspian sturgeon populations. It is fortunate that the US is providing alternatives to a product that was once accepted as the standard.  This has become a repeating theme in fisheries and as endangered products are commonly be replaced by high quality maricultured alternatives.

3. American sturgeon fisheries and aquaculture

            a. There are nine different species of sturgeon in the US. Lake sturgeon, Shovelnose sturgeon, Atlantic sturgeon, White sturgeon, Pallid sturgeon, Gulf sturgeon, Green sturgeon, Shortnose sturgeon,  and the very rare Alabama sturgeon.    The White sturgeon is considered the most common in North  America.

 A prime example of sustainable fishery practices is the Mississippi basin hackleback fishery which has been in operation since ______.   This fishery has been acknowledged and a continued effort has been taken to maintain the gathering efforts. At one time the Atlantic and Lake sturgeon had very large populations, but commercial fishing, pollution and the construction of dams has greatly reduced their numbers.    Public officials and NGO’s recognize that this fishery is sustainable and will continue to be supported through both public and private programs.

            b. Hackleback/Shovelnose Sturgeon

(Scaphiryhnchus Platoryhnchus) The majority of the commercial market is

provided by fisheries along the Mississippi river ands select areas within the river basin. 

The US is truly concerned with the state of a fluctuating caviar market as they consume a large percentage of the total  world product.

  “Hackleback Sturgeon (Scaphiryhnchus Platoryhnchus) - Is native to the Mississippi/Missouri River System and is faster growing and smaller than most sturgeon running about 38 inches at maturity. Sometimes called the "shovelnose sturgeon," or the "sand sturgeon," it is the most abundant sturgeon in the American wild. The size of its eggs are small. They are almost always black, or near-black, and can have a sweet , buttery profile, reminiscent of beluga caviar.” (http://whatscookingamerica.net/caviar.htm

4. Culinary differences

            a. Respectability of Beluga and other Caspian sturgeon

            b. Taste comparisons and common differences

5. Conclusion