Is trade in sturgeons a risk to wild populations?

VKM is the national Scientific Authority for the Convention on International Trade with Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). We have assessed the potential detriment of international trade to sturgeons on assignment from the Norwegian Environment Agency (NEA), who are the national Management Authority under CITES. The risk assessment will be used by NEA for processing import/export permits for sturgeons and products thereof, such as caviar, in compliance with the Norwegian CITES Regulation.

The assessment comprises eleven species of sturgeons and paddlefishes, of which ten have been imported to or exported from Norway the past ten years. The last species is commonly traded internationally but has yet not been imported to or exported from Norway. For each species, the assessment is based on knowledge of the species’ biology, environment, use, and level of trade.

For two of the eleven species that have been assessed, international trade does not pose a threat to their survival in the wild. For the remaining nine species, all trade with wild-caught fish will be detrimental to their survival. For fish and products of fish from aquaculture, VKM is unable to determine whether international trade is detrimental to the species’ survival in the wild, as the available information on the impact of aquaculture on wild populations is conflicting and insufficient.

Trade is not detrimental for the following species: Acipenser transmontanus, Polyodon spathula

Not concluded for the following species: Acipenser baerii, Acipenser gueldenstaedtii, Acipenser naccarii, Acipenser persicus, Acipenser ruthenus, Acipenser schrenckii, Acipenser stellatus, Huso dauricus, Huso huso

“Sturgeons is the most threatened group of species on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. Even though most of the trade is with fish from aquaculture, the level of uncertainty regarding consequences for the wild populations is high,” says Scientific Leader Eli K. Rueness.

VKM proposes that the risk assessment for each species could be applied for a period of five years, unless the IUCN Red List publishes updated assessments where any of the species are given a higher risk category.

VKM delivers independent scientific assessments of issues that have an impact on the environment and on food safety. VKM does not provide advice or decide how risk should be managed. We can investigate the consequences of various alternative actions, but iour commissioners decide on the course af action for risk management.