"Real caviar" is harvested from sturgeon fish - mainly the Beluga (most expensive), Osetra, and Sevruga.
The fish are usually killed in this process.
The meat may be sold at market, so waste can be avoided, but overfishing is still an issue. Some of the wild populations have decreased globally as much as 93%, due to overfishing, bycatching, poaching, and loss of habitat via dam building. As a result, the Beluga sturgeon was listed as Endangered as early as 1996. Though there are still some wild Beluga populations, a few rely on stocking and, in other areas, they are "regionally extinct." In an effort to reduce strain on the already distressed species, the U.S. banned the importation of beluga caviar in 2005, and it became illegal to transport any remaining caviar across state lines. Even with this ban, the populations continued to dwindle. As of 2010, the Beluga sturgeon was placed on the IUCN Red list of endangered species and cited as Critically Endangered. It is at these late stages that conservation efforts are increasing. There are now fish farming operations in existence that stock live fish, and supply sturgeon caviar to try and help fight the decline. Some have found ways of harvesting the roe without killing the fish, but the price is still high, and fish live out their life in an overcrowded tank- surely this is not ideal. Sustainability here is questionable. The fact remains that sturgeons take years to mature; Beluga females clock in between 15 and 18 years before being ready to spawn (other species from 8 years - still a long time). This only begins to illustrate the issue. When you take into account the complex breeding patterns involving seasons, temperatures, locations, etcetera, you start to see the larger picture. There is also evidence suggesting that pesticides are negatively affecting their ability to spawn in the wild (sound familiar?). To further complicate the issue, as the species gets rarer, the price goes up. This creates an even greater temptation for poachers; a 2009 record indicated that Beluga caviar had reached $8,000.00 U.S. dollars per Kilogram (approximately 2.2 lbs). A website listing has the current price per Kilo at $10,560.00 USD. Though it says that the item is "discontinued," and there are two sentences about the ban on U.S. trade, you can still see the price and light images of the product. The website also says that the ban was effective as of "April 2007." Typo? According to the Federal Register, the "notice [of the ban was] effective September 30, 2005." Something 'fishy' going on here - it doesn't seem like they were in a hurry, and at the very least, it's apparent that not quite enough is being done to protect this species. The caviar from the other two sturgeon species, Osetra and Sevruga (sometimes referred to as more "affordable"- my question is 'for who?'), are still a fair chunk of change. Unless you're prepared to shell out $300 for a 2 oz tin, you won't be tasting these anytime soon.
But what if there were a completely sustainable and stably-priced (and Vegan!) alternative?
Enter Caviart®.
Made in a variety of flavors and colors, and affordable for everyone, Caviart® is a truly sustainable, fish-friendly, and green option. It tastes just like lumpfish caviar - it has the look, flavor, and texture (and the little 'pop') of real fish roe. You really need to taste it to believe it. Serve it on some mini-toasts with pate or creme fraiche - your guests will be impressed.
I wish I could tell you exactly where it's available; It's a very new product to the U.S. Your best bet is to ask your local stores to get ahold of it. If you're in the Midwest/Central U.S., have your store contact Long Grove Specialty Foods (brokers for the Midwest & Central region).
Sources:
"The Beluga's Blues." by Anita Hamilton. Time Magazine Online. April 10, 2003. http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,407380,00.html
"Huso huso (Beluga, European Sturgeon, Giant Sturgeon, Great Sturgeon)." Gesner, J., Chebanov, M. & Freyhof, J. 2010. Huso huso The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.2. IUCN Redlist of Endangered Species. http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/10269/0
"About Caviar." http://www.igourmet.com/caviar.asp
"Sevruga." http://www.caviarexpress.com/Russian-Sevruga-Caviar
"U.S. to Ban Imports of Beluga Caviar." by Felicity Barringer. Washington, NY Times Online. September 29, 2005.
