PEOPLE AND PLACES Acadian Sturgeon & Caviar Proving New Brunswick caviar is up there with the best! (Reprinted from Chaine On-Line News April 22, 2021) For years, sturgeon has been known as the source of caviar, that famous delicacy associated with Russia and Iran. Sturgeons are found in New Brunswick too, in the St John River. Acadian Sturgeon and Caviar is proving that New Brunswick caviar is equal if not better! While sturgeon has become endangered due to overfishing, Dr. Cornel Ceapa (Bailli of New Brunswick) has revived the fishery in Saint John River. He is building a national market for caviar also developing products putting sturgeon on the menu in restaurants and dinner tables.
Ceapa set up a unique operation including a wild fishery and aquaculture component. Usually, it’s one or the other. He wanted to ensure enough fish to maintain the business, and not overfish. “Wild” is the quality standard to aim for when sturgeon are farmed as in aquaculture it’s very important to obtain a highquality product similar to that from the wild.
When Romanian-born marine biologist Dr. Ceapa moved to New Brunswick in 2003, there wasn’t a sturgeon fishery. People were even asking if sturgeon was good to eat. The last fishing licence had been given out in 1990’s. There was no market or interest. Ceapa's specialty was sturgeon. Knowing the St John River had two species and feeling the fishery was viable he believed a market for sturgeon and its caviar could be developed.
(left to right) Cornel, Michael and Dorina Ceapa on site.
63
