U.N. effectively blocks caviar exports

[Eugene]

Tuesday, January 3, 2006 · Last updated 11:59 a.m. PT

U.N. effectively blocks caviar exports

By SAM CAGE
ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER

GENEVA -- The United Nations on Tuesday all but blocked caviar exports from countries producing the
luxury food item until they provide more information about the sustainability of their sturgeon catch.

Many sturgeon species are suffering "serious population declines" and new quotas proposed by exporting
countries may not fully reflect the stock reductions or make allowance for illegal fishing, said the
U.N. Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, or CITES.

"Countries wishing to export sturgeon products from shared stocks must demonstrate that their proposed
catch and export quotas reflect current population trends and are sustainable," said Willem Wijnstekers,
secretary-general of CITES, which regulates legal caviar exports through an international system of
permits.

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Full article: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/1310AP_UN_Caviar.html

[phantom power]

1. When caviar is outlawed...

only outlaws will eat caviar. Now what in the hell am I going to put on my triscuits?

[1monster]

3. Cheese Whiz!

:evilgrin:

[phantom power]

5. Yeah, that's probably more realistic. I wouldn't know from caviar anyway.

[Ian David]

4. Salmon roe is very tasty on rice with wasabi. My daughter loves it. n/t

[phantom power]

7. Now that... I DO like.

[htuttle]

12. Oh, oh, oh...

...yuck.

Sushi, sashimi are all good. I love 'em. But roe? Bleech! Never could eat it.

[Ian David]

14. That's because you're a freedom-hating rejectionist. Darksided! Darksided!

[Ian David]

2. Sturgeon Caviar. Hmmm... Iran and Russia. Interesting...

I have no doubt that sturgeon populations are actually endangered, but the timing of this action is curious.

Why didn't they do this years ago, before the controversy over Russia helping Iran to build Halliburton's nuclear reactor?

And of all the endangered species in the world, why do they act on sturgeon-- which primarily effects only Iran and Russia?

Why not-- oh, I don't know-- elephants, rhinoceros, whales, dolphins, cod, the spotted owl, sea horses, tigers...

[phantom power]

8. Would this really hurt, or is it more a symbolic shot across the bow?

[Ian David]

9. Iranian caviar has (I belive) been banned in America since Jimmy Carter

during the hostage crisis.

Still, one of my friends managed to have some to serve at his Bar Mitzvah.

I think the ban may have had a real impact on their economy though, but I may be wrong.

[HereSince1628]

6. Is this directed at Iran?

I think the Russians really dislike the competition from waters they fish themselves, with the US and EU trying to pressure Iran, they could have found an ally on this one in the Russians.

[Dead_Parrot]

10. See? Bush was right!

The human being and fish can coexist peacefully - so long as the UN helps. Wonder what Bolton's view of this was?

[Ian David]

11. ROFL!!! n/t

[Oerdin]

13. In the California delta.

There are species which are related to the sturgen which have been hunted for caviar. They don't taste the same. Not even close but people will still pay hundreds for a small can so illegal fishing continues.