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How are sturgeon eggs, flesh, and swim bladders used by people?
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chondrostean
Russian sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii) swimming along the seafloor of the Black Sea.
Sturgeons are highly valued for their flesh, eggs, and swim bladders, though many species are now critically endangered due to overfishing and environmental degradation.1
- Eggs: The eggs, or roe, are processed to create caviar. This involves stripping the eggs from ripe females, passing them through a fine-mesh screen, and preserving them with salt. High-quality, lightly salted caviar is often classified as malossol.12
- Flesh: Sturgeon flesh is consumed as a food source and is sold fresh, pickled, or smoked. It is considered a valuable commodity, particularly in regions like Russia and Iran.13
- Swim Bladders: The inner membrane of the sturgeon's swim bladder is used to produce isinglass, a very pure form of gelatin. This substance serves as a clarifying agent in industrial processes and is also used in the production of jellies and glues.14
Given the precarious status of many sturgeon populations, it is ethically imperative to prioritize conservation efforts and sustainable practices to prevent the extinction of these ancient fishes.1