ODWC Paddlefish Research Center --- a self-funded and sustainable government operation Jason D. Schooley Oklahoma Dept. of Wildlife Conservation Paddlefish Research Center
Funds from caviar sales are the byproduct of a well-managed fishery - Dr. Dennis Scarnecchia, Univ. of Idaho
What is caviar? Officially, salted roe from beluga sturgeon Huso huso
What is caviar?
What is caviar?
What is caviar?
Beluga Caviar = $$$
Caspian Stock Collapse
Caspian Stock Collapse
Restricted Trade Overfishing Habitat loss Lack of management www.caviaremptor.org
Restricted Trade Endangered 1996 Critically Endangered 2010 US Import prohibited 2005
Species Domino Effect Collapse or regulation of one species / stock shift harvest pressure to a surrogate or similar species Sturgeon Paddlefish
American Paddlefish Close relative of the sturgeon (same family) Large fish (125 lbs in OK) Paddlefish caviar is similar to beluga 450,000 eggs (20lbs, 25% of body weight)
Paddlefish Caviar Malossol Retails up to $30/oz
Paddlefish Range
Oklahoma Paddlefish Paddlefish Research Center 103 lbs
Oklahoma Paddlefish Stocks are stable / reproducing Commercial fishing prohibited in 1993 Sport angling tradition
Oklahoma Paddlefish Illegal harvest was occurring Regulations prohibited sale or trade of paddlefish roe (3 lbs for personal use) Discarded by most anglers Effective management required in-depth stock assessment Requires fish sacrifice
Stock Assessment Eggs, testes, and gonadal fat bodies: sexual maturity, health, etc. Length, weight, and sex Otolith, jaw, and fin ray: aging structures Rostrum tip: coded wire tags Fin sample: genetics
The idea Need data for stock assessment Anglers are harvesting fish and discarding the roe ODWC could capture the data by using angler-harvested specimens Roe could be made into caviar and sold to fund the program
The idea Technically, not an original one Cooperative effort MT/ND at Intake
The philosophy Funds from caviar sales are the byproduct of a well-managed fishery - Dr. Dennis Scarnecchia, Univ. of Idaho
ODWC opens PRC 2008, ODWC opens Paddlefish Research Center on the Neosho River / Grand Lake Free fish cleaning in exchange for biological data and roe salvage
Humble beginnings Twin Bridges State Park
State of the art Facility
PRC Process Flow Paddlefish Angler Live fish Paddlefish Research Center Biological Data Collection Gonad Data Fish / Wildlife Research & Cons. Pet Food Fish Cleaning Cold Storage Roe Processing $ Caviar Buyer Caviar Frozen Storage Packing Salting
PRC Process Flow Paddlefish Angler Live fish Paddlefish Research Center
PRC Process Flow Paddlefish Angler Live fish Paddlefish Research Center Biological Data Collection
PRC Process Flow Paddlefish Angler Live fish Paddlefish Research Center Biological Data Collection Gonad Data Fish Cleaning
PRC Process Flow Paddlefish Angler Live fish Paddlefish Research Center Biological Data Collection Gonad Data Pet Food Fish Cleaning Cold Storage Roe Processing Packing Salting
PRC Process Flow Paddlefish Angler Live fish Paddlefish Research Center Biological Data Collection Gonad Data Pet Food Fish Cleaning Cold Storage Roe Processing Packing Salting
PRC Process Flow Paddlefish Angler Live fish Paddlefish Research Center Biological Data Collection Gonad Data Pet Food Fish Cleaning Cold Storage Roe Processing Packing Salting
PRC Process Flow Paddlefish Angler Live fish Paddlefish Research Center Biological Data Collection Gonad Data Fish / Wildlife Research & Cons. Pet Food Fish Cleaning Cold Storage Roe Processing $ Caviar Buyer Caviar Frozen Storage Packing Salting
Value Added Free fish cleaning and bait for anglers Fish remains are repurposed Stock assessment data for ODWC Angler permit & survey Caviar proceeds benefit statewide
The Complexity HACCP analysis, HACCP Plan Seafood allergen Environmental contaminants Pathogens Facility sanitation, GMPs Inspection by multiple entities
The Complexity
The Complexity CITES Non-Detriment Finding (NDF) Traceability Sustainability
Traceability Demonstrate chain of custody Ensure source of caviar Ensure legality
Sustainability Monitor and document stock status Evaluate impacts of harvest on stock Demonstrate control via harvest management Have a plan
The Successes Statewide Management Plan Published findings Research Grants Angler Harvest Ecological Data Responsible Management Research Internship Program Law Enforcement Mgmt. feedback loops
Conclusions ODWC mission develop and maintain responsible use and enjoyment of OK fish and wildlife resources
Conclusions Mgmt. Plan Philosophy Paddlefish are a valuable resource Angling is important The resource should benefit many, not few Harvest data are critical for responsible mgmt. & anglers are a good source Evaluation, regulation, enforcement, education
Conclusions ODWC Paddlefish Research Center Self-funded Responsible Sustainable
Acknowledgements Dr. Dennis Scarnecchia, U. of Idaho PRC Crew Brent Gordon, Tim Miller, Brandon Brown PRC Interns & ODWC Fisheries Staff Wishard Caviar Consultants Paddlefish anglers