019 Program “Implementation of Innovative Technologies for Preparing Broodstock for Obtaining Edible Caviar Using the Live Method to Increase the Range and Quantity of Legal Sturgeon Products and Enhance Their Export and Domestic Potential in the Mangystau Region”

Applicant: Mangystau Region Fisheries Department

Grantee: Scientific and Production Center for Fisheries LLP

Project Goal: Implementation of effective methods for preparing caviar broodstock to increase productivity and ensure consistent production of high-quality edible caviar at a fish hatchery in the Mangystau Region.

Project Objectives (3 activities over 20 months):

– Implementation of technological methods for grading sturgeon caviar replacement stock;

– Implementation of feeding rations for replacement broodstock to increase the efficiency of edible caviar production;

– Implementation of technological methods for the annual production of edible sturgeon caviar with the ability to preserve and restore spent females for repeated use.

Project Location: Kazakh Osseter Research and Production Enterprise (Kazakh Osseter)

Project Duration: 2025-2027

Expected Results:

– Technological assessment methods for the targeted formation of sturgeon egg replacement stock will be developed and implemented;

– Recommendations for optimizing the maintenance conditions of established sturgeon egg replacement broodstock maintained at Kazakh Osseter Research and Production Enterprise (Kazakh Osseter) will be developed and implemented to produce high-quality food-grade caviar.

– Innovative practices for maintaining egg broodstock in RAS will be developed and implemented at Kazakh Osseter Research and Production Enterprise (Kazakh Osseter) in the Mangystau Region.

– Assistance will be provided to agribusiness entities in the Mangystau Region in marketing fish products produced at fish farms in the region.

– The key personnel of Kazakh Osseter Scientific and Production Enterprise LLP will be trained in the above-mentioned innovative method and will have the competence to further ensure sustainable production.

Results achieved in 2025-2026:

Sturgeon grading (assessment of the productive qualities of sturgeon for their subsequent use) and inventory were conducted;

Promising females were selected for the production of live edible caviar.

The female caviar was overwintered for oocyte maturation.

20 kg of edible caviar was produced using the live method.