Sari – Iran's Shahid Rajaei Aquatic Genetic Resources Conservation and Restoration Center is pioneering a sturgeon breeding revolution, employing advanced methods such as "micro-caesarean" surgery and microchip tagging to safeguard and rebuild the Caspian Sea's dwindling sturgeon populations.

 

Seyed Ali-Asghar Bagheri, the center's director, said the facility currently manages seven key species: five native Caspian sturgeon varieties, two riverine species (sterlet and Siberian sturgeon), and two bony fish, Caspian white fish and common carp.

 

"After hormone induction, we make a tiny incision in the oviduct to extract the eggs without fully opening the abdomen," Bagheri explained. "This allows the broodstock to recover and re-enter the production cycle for future spawning." Each fish is also fitted with a microchip implant, enabling lifelong identification and traceability for selective breeding and caviar production.

 

In a major strategic shift, the center has suspended commercial sales of juveniles—which previously supplied over 60 fish farms nationwide—to prioritize genetic conservation. All fingerlings are now released into the Caspian Sea and select rivers, coordinated with Iran's Fisheries Organization and research bodies.

 

Bagheri highlighted the successful rearing of 100-gram beluga sturgeon fingerlings and their release into more than 31 rivers across Mazandaran Province, marking a significant step in restoring wild populations.

 

The center is also collaborating with the University of Mazandaran on a research project exploring spirulina algae's effects on immune function and nutritional status in beluga sturgeon, aiming to boost juvenile health and survival rates before release.