How can you tell if this caviar came from an endangered species of sturgeon? Test its DNA.
The three species that account for most of the world's caviar trade – the beluga
and starry sturgeons
– are listed as endangered under CITES, but can be told apart by their DNA. However, for North American species, the situation is more complex. The shortnose sturgeon
and the pallid sturgeon
are listed as endangered under the US Endangered Species Act, and using their roe for caviar is illegal
. By contrast, the shovelnose sturgeon
is not listed, and can be caught with a fishing licence. The low levels of genetic variation between the species makes it hard to tell them apart.
Developing reliable genetic markers for these species will be vital to their future conservation.
(Image: Sipa Press/Rex Features)