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In a bid to save falling sturgeon stocks, Russia, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan
have agreed to cease sturgeon fishing in the Caspian Sea, the source of 90 per
cent of the world’s caviar, till the end of the year. If they have not come up
with detailed inventories of fish stocks, as well as ways to manage stocks and
curb illegal poaching by the end of the year, the ban will extend to 2002.
Turkmenistan, which failed to appear at the meeting, faces a complete ban on
caviar exports if it doesn’t confirm its agreement. Iran, the fifth Caspian
state, already has conservation measures in place.