What do they have in common?  I didn't realize that caviar is a billion dollar business.  Florida used to  have a pretty healthy gulf sturgeon population until is was almost netted into non existence in the 1930's.  Mote Marine has been around since 1955.  I have been there several times checking out the exhibits with and without my grandson.  What I didn't know is that they have been the grower and purveyor of Siberian sturgeon caviar for the last decade.

Last year they sold 1.5 metric tons of caviar with a market value of 3 million dollars.  Who knew?  The retail price is $55 an ounce at Whole Foods in Florida. This isn't being done at the Marine but at the Mote Aquaculture Park.  They have a 200 acre site located on Fruitville Rd.  Beluga is the gold standard for caviar.  It is the best known and has the largest eggs.

FYI stuff:  Sturgeons have a life span of 30 years.  Females are slow maturing and take five to seven years before their eggs are of the right size and quality; The eggs must be harvested before ovulation.  Mote uses ultrasound to determine when they are ready.  After ovulation the shells are riddled with tiny holes to accept sperm and are not fit to eat; The eggs make up 10-20% of the female's body weight.  The meat is also harvested and sold.

I have a peasant's palate.  I can't stand the taste of caviar.  I have tried it several times.  Yuck.

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Posted by Webster, Ma Conrad Allen, Realtor on 04/17/2012 02:58 AM   Comments (11)   Local Information in the ActiveRain Channel  
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11 Comments on CAVIAR, MOTE MARINE AND A BILLION DOLLARS

APR
17
2012
496,545 Points 13 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Hi conrad, Interesting post.  I have not had cariar in years but liked it when I did.  Maybe because someone else was buying!
3:03am • #1
668,377 Points 8 Featured Posts Outside Blog Hit Router Called Shot Master

Morning Conrad so you don't like fish eggs.  I tried it once it wasn't that bad and if I have the opportunity to have it again I'll give it another try.  I just don't see all the excitement about it.
3:04am • #2
221,505 Points 5 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Hey Conrad-I happen to like caviar and Roe very much so the post caught my attention. Never heard of Mote Marine but being in FL that also was an attention getter. I do know of a Fruitville Road in Sarasota is that where it is?
3:11am • #3
1,021,896 Points 66 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Itsn't it just expensive shad roe?  I realize that it may come on a cracker or toast point.....
3:13am • #4
647,190 Points 68 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

Too funny Bob.

Me either James.

Yes Marco.  It is Fruitville Rd in Sarasota.

It is Wallace.
3:25am • #5
561,642 Points 10 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Conrad, thanks for the update. Like you caviar is not a favorite of mine. Enjoy your day!
3:26am • #6
1,946,931 Points 477 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Sadly, the price of good Beluga caviar skyrocketed as the "progress" of man kills off the fish that produces it.  Impoundments, pollution, etc. have reduced the Sturgeon population to a point where the good Beluga is out of reach for most.  You can't buy just a tablespoon of Beluga.

 
3:26am • #7
647,190 Points 68 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

Your welcome Wayne.

They have to kill the female in order to harvest the eggs.  It takes 5 to 7 years for a female to mature.  There is no "restocking" program going on to replenish the sturgeon.  Only the rich can afford the beluga Lenn and even they will have a problem if the sturgeon is extinct.
4:01am • #8
758,013 Points 37 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Conrad ...I'm with you ...don't think I could ever eat it!  Have a great day!
4:10am • #9
984,025 Points 80 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

I'm with you Conrad, caviar is just not my thing..........
4:41am • #10
647,190 Points 68 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

You have to try it once Rob.

Not at all Roger.
5:24am • #11


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