Sturgeon, the source of prized caviar, are now primarily farmed rather than wild-caught, raising important welfare questions for these long-lived, stress-sensitive fish.
Farmed sturgeon welfare presents both opportunities and challenges. As long-lived, sentient fish, sturgeon experience cumulative welfare impacts over years or decades in captivity. The development of no-kill caviar extraction methods is a genuine welfare advance, but these methods still involve handling stress. Water quality management, appropriate substrate, and low-stress handling protocols are essential for sturgeon welfare. The high value of caviar creates economic incentive for careful husbandry, which can align with welfare if standards are rigorously enforced.