What type of caviar is called smuggled caviar in Iran?

Caviar is one of the most valuable marine products (currently farmed) in Iran and has a relatively large domestic and international market. However, alongside the legal caviar trade, smuggling of this product has always been one of the major challenges in this market. In this article, we will examine what type of caviar is considered smuggled in Iran and why this issue is important.

What is smuggled caviar?

Any fishing of wild sturgeon from the Caspian Sea is prohibited and illegal.

Smuggled caviar is caviar that is obtained from catching any type of sturgeon from the Caspian Sea.

In addition, farmed caviar that is harvested and processed by unauthorized sellers in completely unsanitary and illegal home environments is also called smuggled caviar.

Only caviar obtained from sturgeon fish raised in standard farms is allowed to be bought and sold domestically and internationally.

CITES and its role in sturgeon conservation

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) is an international agreement that has been in place since 1975 to control and monitor trade in endangered species of flora and fauna. The convention, to which Iran is a party, has protected Caspian sturgeon since 1998 and has made caviar exports conditional on the sturgeon being farmed. Only sturgeon from fish raised on standard sturgeon farms are eligible for legal permits for the caviar trade. Trading caviar without an official CITES permit is illegal and carries heavy fines.

Legal and laboratory permits for caviar for export

To export farmed caviar, producers are required to obtain various legal, health, and laboratory permits, including:

• Iran Fisheries License: A confirmation that the caviar was sourced from licensed farms.
• Veterinary and Health Certificate: Quality control tests to ensure the health and absence of contamination of the caviar. (1- Healthy Certificate 2-Veterinary)
• CITES permit: A requirement for international caviar exports, ensuring legal trade in this product.

Factors affecting caviar smuggling

1. The poverty of Caspian Sea coastal fishermen leads to unreported fishing of sturgeon for the purpose of selling their expensive caviar and meat on the black market in northern Iran.
2. The low price of wild caviar is due to the fact that there is no cost to produce it (except for the labor cost).
3. Part of Iranian caviar is sold unofficially and without documents, which is usually applied to caviar produced under unsanitary conditions.
4. Informal distribution and black market sales: Some profiteers attempt to supply caviar without the necessary approvals, which may endanger the health of consumers.
5. Inefficiency of the system of monitoring and statistical treatment of fishing and command of harvesting operations from the Caspian Sea. N.M.

Why is smuggled caviar harmful to the consumer’s health?

A very important point in storing caviar is to be careful about its high perishability. Eating spoiled caviar can be very dangerous. Smuggling enters the market without following the standard points of processing and storing caviar and health supervision. This can lead to the following:

• Microbial and fungal contamination: Failure to comply with hygiene standards may lead to caviar contamination with bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli.
• Failure to vacuum seal caviar cans, resulting in very rapid spoilage
• Highly hazardous chemical contamination with long-lasting toxins such as Malachite Green and Crystal Violet
• Failure to maintain the cold chain: Illegal caviar transportation is usually carried out without a cold chain, which causes product spoilage and the production of dangerous toxins.

The dangers and consequences of caviar smuggling

1. The negative impact on the environment of illegal sturgeon fishing is causing the destruction of the few remaining generations of this valuable species and endangering the ecological balance.
2. Damage to the reputation of Iran’s caviar industry. Caviar smuggling causes low-quality products to enter the global market, which can tarnish the reputation of Iranian caviar.
3. Economic losses to the country from illegal caviar exports result in loss of foreign exchange earnings for the government and harm to legal activists in this industry.

Punishment and fines for caviar smuggling in Iran

According to Iranian law, caviar smuggling is considered a crime and carries severe penalties:

• Cash fines: Violators must pay heavy cash fines, depending on the amount of caviar smuggled, which is usually several times the value of the smuggled goods.
• Imprisonment: Imprisonment is also considered for individuals and groups involved in organized caviar smuggling.
• Seizure of goods and means of transportation: Smuggled caviar and its means of transportation are confiscated by customs and fisheries officers.
• Debarment from fishing activities: Violators may be barred from obtaining licenses related to sturgeon fishing and farming.

How to buy genuine and legal caviar?

• Recognizing a reputable brand
• Recognizing a reputable brand
• Ensuring that the product has a label and approval from the Fisheries Organization and the Veterinary Organization.
• Checking the standards listed on caviar packaging
• Check the production date, best before date, and expiration date listed on the caviar packaging.

Conclusion

Caviar is one of Iran’s important assets, and its protection and legal trade are of great importance. Identifying and combating smuggled caviar can help preserve natural resources, increase legal revenues, and strengthen the Iranian caviar brand in the world. Also, consumers should carefully and consciously purchase legal and licensed caviar to ensure the health and quality of the product.