Sustainability prespective on wild and farmed sturgeon for caviar production in caspian sea (bandar anzali)
Ansarifar, Zahra (2025)
2025
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https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025121837826
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025121837826
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Abstract
This thesis investigated the environmental sustainability of wild and farmed sturgeon caviar production in the southern Caspian Sea, with a focus on the Anzali Wetland in Iran, the coastal city of Bandar Anzali, and the Sefid Rud River system. These ecosystems have historically played a vital role in sturgeon migration, spawning, and feeding. The study assessed the impacts of wild and farmed caviar production on sturgeon biodiversity and compared the sustainability of these methods.
The research is based on a systematic review of secondary data from national and international sources, including FAO, IFO, IUCN, and CITES reports, as well as trends in sturgeon catch and caviar production from 2000 to 2022.
The results indicate a decline in wild sturgeon populations and natural caviar production, attributable to overfishing, illegal harvesting, habitat destruction, river fragmentation, and pollution. Meanwhile, farmed sturgeon production has increased significantly, reducing pressure on wild stocks. However, aquaculture also entails environmental and genetic risks, including genetic mixing, disease transmission, and waste impacts. The study concludes that while farmed caviar may be more sustainable, long-term biodiversity conservation requires both habitat protection and scientifically regulated aquaculture management.
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Language: English
Key Words: sturgeons, Caspian Sea, Iranian caviar,
This thesis investigated the environmental sustainability of wild and farmed sturgeon caviar production in the southern Caspian Sea, with a focus on the Anzali Wetland in Iran, the coastal city of Bandar Anzali, and the Sefid Rud River system. These ecosystems have historically played a vital role in sturgeon migration, spawning, and feeding. The study assessed the impacts of wild and farmed caviar production on sturgeon biodiversity and compared the sustainability of these methods.
The research is based on a systematic review of secondary data from national and international sources, including FAO, IFO, IUCN, and CITES reports, as well as trends in sturgeon catch and caviar production from 2000 to 2022.
The results indicate a decline in wild sturgeon populations and natural caviar production, attributable to overfishing, illegal harvesting, habitat destruction, river fragmentation, and pollution. Meanwhile, farmed sturgeon production has increased significantly, reducing pressure on wild stocks. However, aquaculture also entails environmental and genetic risks, including genetic mixing, disease transmission, and waste impacts. The study concludes that while farmed caviar may be more sustainable, long-term biodiversity conservation requires both habitat protection and scientifically regulated aquaculture management.
_______________________________________________________________________________
Language: English
Key Words: sturgeons, Caspian Sea, Iranian caviar,