Sturgeon farming in Western Europe: recent developments and perspectives

• Published in: Aquatic Living Resources
• Main Authors: Williot, Patrick, Sabeau, L., Gessner, Joern, Arlati, G., Bronzi, P., Gulyas, T., Berni, P.
• Other Authors: Ressources aquatiques continentales (UR RABX), Centre national du machinisme agricole, du génie rural, des eaux et forêts (CEMAGREF), GIE ESTURGEON AQUITAINE MONTPON MENESTEREL, Partenaires IRSTEA, Institut national de recherche en sciences et technologies pour l'environnement et l'agriculture (IRSTEA)-Institut national de recherche en sciences et technologies pour l'environnement et l'agriculture (IRSTEA), INSTITUTE OF FRESHWATER ECOLOGY AND INLAND FISHERIES BERLIN DEU, REGIONE LOMBARDIA MILANO ITA, ENEL SEGRATE ITA, SZEKSZARD HUN, UNIVERSITA DI PISA ITA
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: HAL CCSD 2001
• Subjects: ITALIE; FRANCE; ALLEMAGNE; POLOGNE; EUROPE DE L'OUEST; [SDE]Environmental Sciences; Acipenser baerii; Siberian sturgeon
• Online Access: https://hal.inrae.fr/hal-02580182; https://doi.org/10.1016/S0990-7440(01)01136-6

International audience Sturgeon production in Western Europe originating from aquaculture in 1999 was approximately 1 300, tons revealing an increasing trend. Three species represent 95% of the annual production: white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) 43%, Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii) 34%, and Adriatic sturgeon (Acipenser naccarii) 18%. The remainder is provided by various species including hybrids. The main countries in decreasing order of production are Italy, France, Spain, Germany and Poland. Fish are fed commercial formulated diet. The most significant changes in the sturgeon industry during recent years have been in the ownership of farms, in the emergence of the pond as a production system, and in the increasing caviar production from farmed sturgeon. In 1999, the production of farmed caviar from France and Italy, originating from Siberian and white sturgeon, respectively was close to 6 tons. The number of active sturgeon farms in Western Europe is estimated to be approximately 30, half of which are hatcheries. This paper presents different strategies and management approaches in sturgeon production and caviar processing. The potential caviar market and its dynamics are assessed and likely changes are discussed. Finally, some of the scientific investigations needed to improve and support this development are highlighted. Five different fields are distinguished: biological reserve, genetics, reproduction, farming, and quality of end products. La production d'esturgeon d'élevage en Europe de l'Ouest était estimée à quelques 1300 tonnes en 1999, traduisant ainsi une tendance en augmentation. Trois espèces représentent 95% de la production annuelle : l'esturgeon blanc (Acipenser transmontanus) pour 43%, l'esturgeon sibérien (Acipenser baerii) pour 34% et l'esturgeon de l'Adriatique (Acipenser naccarii) pour 18%. Le reste provient de diverses espèces et d'hybrides. Les principaux pays producteurs sont dans l'ordre décroissant l'Italie, la France, l'Allemagne et la Pologne. Les poissons sont ...