Sturgeon

All species found in UK waters or on the UK market are assessed as Critically Endangered by IUCN. Because of this, they are automatically a red-rated species, due to their stock status.The sturgeon species on the UK market include: Acipenser sturio – European sturgeon, A. gueldenstaedtii - Russian, A. baerii – Siberian and Huso huso – Beluga, all of which have been assessed as critically endangered since at least 2019. Although there is no available evidence of wild caught sturgeon on the UK market, or caught in UK fisheries, there is evidence of a substantial illegal fishery in Europe. Therefore, it is important to check the provenance of any sturgeon products.

CITES, 2021. CITES publishes quotas for wild caviar from the Caspian Sea. Available at: https://cites.org/eng/news/pr/2008/080303_caviar.shtml [[Accessed on 16.10.2025]C&RT, 2020. Canal and River Trust, Common/European Sturgeon. Available at: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/enjoy-the-waterways/fishing/caring-for-our-fish/freshwater-fish-species/rare-and-protected-fish/common-european-sturgeon [Accessed on 16.10.2025].MMO, 2017. Protection of common sturgeon: advice for fishermen. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/protection-of-common-sturgeon-advice-for-fishermen#:~:text=What%20to%20do%20if%20you,do%20so%20from%20the%20MMO.&text=It%20is%20important%20that%20any,of%20each%20fish%20is%20essential [Accessed on 16.10.2025].IUCN, 2025. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-2. < Search including: Acipenser sturio – European sturgeon, A. gueldenstaedtii - Russian sturgeon, A. baerii - Siberian, Huso huso – Beluga. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org/ [Accessed on 16.10.2025].WWF, 2021. Poaching and illegal trade in sturgeon pose major threat to critically endangered species in Europe. Available at: https://wwf.panda.org/wwf_news/?2014941/Poaching-and-illegal-trade-in-sturgeon-pose-major-threat-to-critically-endangered-species-in-Europe [Accessed on 16.10.2025].