"The Russians have acknowledged publicly that they have a big problem on their domestic market," Theile said.
CITES also pointed to importers, saying they "must ensure that all imports are from legal sources, and they must establish registration systems for their domestic processing and repackaging plants and rules for the labeling of repackaged caviar."
Many countries have failed to act, it said. The European Union still doesn't have a new labeling system, despite a 2004 deadline.
"There's probably a lack of awareness from the Europeans about the problems we have with illegal trade," said Theile.
According to authorities in France — Western Europe's top caviar market — a suspected 90 percent of caviar sold there is contraband.
In September the United States said it was suspending imports of highly prized beluga caviar after complaining of inaction by Caspian states.
The WWF conservation group on Tuesday cautioned that international action isn't enough, saying that domestic consumption also drives poaching, particularly in Russia.
Name: Russian Sturgeon (
Acipenser gueldenstaedtii)
Primary Classification: Acipenseriformes (Sturgeons, Paddlefishes and Spoonfishes)
Location: Russia and surrounding areas
Habitat: Sand or silt bottoms in seas, freshwater lakes and rivers
Diet: Mainly mollusks. Also fish, crustaceans and other bottom-dwelling animals.
Size: Up to 7.9 ft in length and 250 lbs in weight
Description: Dark coloring with yellow shading; spindle-shaped body; several rows of bony scutes on back; long snout; sensory barbels hang from mouth
Cool Facts: It has a siphon-like mouth, with no teeth, that it uses to vacuum up prey. Sturgeon have been around since the age of the dinosaurs, and are among the oldest living species of fish.
Conservation Status: Endangered
Major Threat(s): Caviar trade, habitat loss, overfishing and pollution
What Can I Do?: Visit
World Sturgeon Conservation Society for information on how you can help.
