Beluga sturgeon

Encyclopedia : B : BE : BEL : Beluga sturgeon

For other uses of the term "beluga", see Beluga (disambiguation).

The beluga (Huso huso) is a species of anadromous fish in the sturgeon family (Acipenseridae) of order Acipenseriformes. It is found primarily in the Caspian and Black Sea basins, and occasionally in the Adriatic Sea. Heavily fished for the female's valuable roe—known as beluga caviar—the beluga is a large (maximum 6 meters/19 feet), slow-growing and late-maturing fish that can live for 150 years. The species' numbers have been greatly reduced by overfishing or poaching, prompting many governments to enact restrictions on its trade.

IUCN classifies the beluga as Endangered. It is a protected species listed in appendix III of the Bern Convention and its trade is restricted under CITES appendix II. The Mediterranean population is strongly protected under appendix II of the Bern Convention, prohibiting any intentional killing of these fish.

The United States Fish and Wildlife Service has banned imports of beluga caviar and other beluga products from the Caspian Sea since October 7, 2005.

References

Sturgeon Specialist Group (1996). [Huso huso]. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 11 May 2006. Listed as Endangered (EN A2d v2.3)
[Huso huso (TSN 161084)]. Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Accessed on 24 January 2006.
[Annex II of the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats]. Revised 1 March 2002.
"[Huso huso]." FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. October 2004 version. N.p.: FishBase, 2004.
IUCN Sturgeon Specialist Group. ["Huso huso" (ID 10269)]. 2004 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. N.p.: IUCN, 2004.

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