CITES authorities confiscate gleaming caviar worth AED 180,000
Posted: 03 May 2006
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Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES) authorities in the United Arab Emirates have taken another step forward in the drive to combat illegal trade of endangered species in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
CITES confiscated
 About 45 kilograms of high quality caviar were confiscated from a well known retail shop. The shop owner wasn’t able to show proper documentation.
The confiscation came in line with upholding the CITES convention, where UAE has been a signatory since 1990. Caviar otherwise known as ‘fish roe’ is an acknowledged delicacy around the world and is expensive, with 250 g of Beluga caviar worth almost AED 1,150. Sturgeon Caviar is considered the only true caviar and the last remaining sturgeon habitat is now in the Caspian Sea, which is the richest sturgeon habitat anywhere on the planet. Beluga comes from the largest of sturgeons, weighing up to 2000 pounds.
The caviar, which was of Beluga and Sevruga, is estimated to be worth AED 180,000. Following an investigation, authorities found that the illegal trade was conducted through individuals who brought in permissible amounts of caviar in plastic bags into the country, then handed it to the retail shop. Large amounts of caviar were collected and then packed into cans for sale illegally without proper documentation.
After authorities confiscated all the caviar, the retail shop was handed a letter citing their violation of Article No. 27 of Federal Law No. 11 of 2002 pertaining to the regulation of illegal international trade in flora and fauna.
Moreover, the retail shop violated a second regulation by not having registered their commercial activity with the Federal Environment Agency (FEA), in its capacity as the Management Authority of CITES.
Since caviar is the eggs of the threatened sturgeon fish, 25 of the 27 species of this fish have been listed under CITES Appendix II. This means international trade in these species and their products can occur, but only under a system of permits.
This is not the first time that UAE authorities have confiscated caviar from a major retail shop. The last time was in June 2005 where AED 35,000 worth of caviar was confiscated for being sold illegally.
Posted by Editor Offshore Arabia Magazine
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