Sturgeon — Asia

2000 BCE - 2014 CE

“Historically, the Caspian Sea has been home to the world's largest abundance of sturgeon . . . Russia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and Iran supply about 90 percent of the world's sturgeon catch and caviar production . . . Beluga, stellate and Russian sturgeon populations have declined precipitously over the last 20 years . . . While overfishing is the principal reason for the decline, the loss of spawning habitat and pollution also are responsible.”