Iran gets largest share of Caspian Sea caviar quota

TEHRAN (AFP) Sep 23, 2003
Iran's catch and export quota for Caspian Sea sturgeon and caviar for 2003 has been set at 78.78 tonnes, leaving the Islamic republic with a 53 percent share of the allowance for Iran, Russia, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan.

According to the caviar quota figures released by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) this week, the Russian Federation is entitled to 31.7 tonnes, Kazakhstan to 26.63 tonnes and Azerbaijan to 9.1 tonnes.

CITES was signed in 1973 by 80 countries, and Iran joined the treaty in 1976. In the Caspian region, it restricts the harvesting of Beluga, Stellate and Ship Sturgeons.

In 2002, Iran was awarded a caviar quota of 75 tonnes. Officials here said a total of 50 tonnes were exported that year, earning around around 30 million dollars for the country.

TERRA.WIRE