National Caviar Day is a perfect occasion to enjoy the luxury of caviar, however, it also exists to raise awareness of a pressing environmental story: the plight of sturgeon in the wild. As a caviar brand fully committed to sustainability, we believe it's crucial to highlight the importance of sturgeon conservation and how responsible farming practices are making a positive impact.

The Plight of Wild Sturgeon

Sturgeon, one of the oldest fish species on Earth, are critically endangered. Factors contributing to their decline include overfishing, habitat destruction and pollution. As a result, several sturgeon species have faced drastic population reductions, with some even reaching the brink of extinction. Despite these challenges, there are glimmers of hope thanks to dedicated conservation efforts.

The Role of Sturgeon Farming

Sturgeon farming has emerged as a vital strategy for both producing high-quality caviar and supporting wild sturgeon populations. By farming sturgeon, we reduce the pressure on wild stocks, providing an alternative that doesn't deplete natural populations. Our 3rd generation, family-run farm, is at the forefront of these sustainable practices and was one of the first farms in the world to convert to sturgeon farming. In the year 2000, in response to the news that sturgeon had become an endangered species, we began creating a sustainable, sturgeon breeding programme. Today Matteo Giovannini is regarded as a world expert in the breeding and management of sturgeon species and our farm now successfully raises 7 different species of sturgeon from the Acipenser Baerii to the Huso Huso Beluga, including also the incredibly difficult and rare Acipenser Ruthenus Albino sturgeon. 

We are not just passionate conservationists, we are equally committed to reducing our impact on the environment. Here are a few of the measures we are taking, but we won't stop here, we have a number of new initiatives under-way that we look forward to sharing soon.

• Our farm is powered by 200kw of solar panels, which produces all our energy needs
• We use a raceaway water system, which keeps the fish naturally healthy 
• Our onsite decantation lake uses natural and biological filtration methods to clean the water before it is returned to the watercourse, maintaining the integrity of the crystal clear water without the need for any water treatment chemicals
• All our fish food is GMO free

A Success Story: The Acipenser Naccari Sturgeon in the Adriatic Sea

One of the most notable success stories in sturgeon conservation is the restocking of the Acipenser Naccari sturgeon into the Adriatic Sea. Thirty years ago, the Giovannini family played a pivotal role in this initiative. At a time when the species was nearly extinct in the wild, our efforts, alongside other conservationists, helped reintroduce young sturgeon back into their natural habitat.

Today, we are proud to report that young Adriatic sturgeon have been documented in Italy, a testament to the long-term impact of these restocking efforts. This success is mirrored in other parts of the world, such as the increased populations of the white sturgeon in North America's Fraser River and the rare Amu Darya shovelnose sturgeon in Uzbekistan.

Guilt-Free Indulgence

When you enjoy our caviar, you can do so with the confidence that you are supporting sustainable practices that contribute to the preservation of sturgeon species. Our commitment to responsible farming and conservation ensures that our caviar is not only a luxury but also a choice you can feel good about.

As we celebrate National Caviar Day, let’s appreciate the delicacy on our plates and acknowledge the efforts that go into preserving the sturgeon species for future generations. By choosing sustainably farmed caviar, you are making a significant contribution to this cause.

Together, we can enjoy the finest caviar while supporting the health and longevity of sturgeon populations worldwide.