From Egg to Egg.
Since 1994 we have been proud to raise our own White Sturgeon and Coho Salmon in Sechelt, British Columbia. Our Canadian Farmed Caviar has been recognized worldwide as one of the best.
What makes Northern Divine Caviar so superiors?
First, the brood stock of our Sturgeon and Salmon is where it all started. Over 3 decades ago, we took the initiative to take in Fraser River White Sturgeon. On our land based farm, we've taken what nature has offered, and perfected it. Our water sources, feed and ethical handling of our fish result in a high quality final product. With our fully integrated oversight, (EGG to EGG) from breeding, to raising and processing, we ensure the Caviar we provide meets our standards and that of the most demanding gourmand.
Ancient Origins of the White Sturgeon
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Dinosaur Relatives: White sturgeon are considered "living fossils," a lineage that has survived with minimal changes since the early Cretaceous period over 100 million years ago. They truly swam beside dinosaurs!
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Physical Traits: Their bony plates (called scutes), shark-like cartilaginous skeletons, and lack of scales reflect their ancient evolutionary history.
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Pacific Habitat: White sturgeon are native to large rivers along the Pacific coast of North America, historically found from Alaska to Mexico.
Human Impact
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Native American Traditions: For centuries, Native American tribes revered and relied on white sturgeon for sustenance, tools, and cultural practices.
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Industrial Exploitation: In the late 1800s, the rise of commercial fishing for caviar and meat brought white sturgeon populations to the brink of collapse within a few decades.
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Damming and Habitat Change: Throughout the 20th century, dam construction heavily fragmented sturgeon spawning grounds and further altered their river habitats.
Conservation and the Modern Era
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Protected Status: Overfishing and habitat loss made white sturgeon a target for conservation, leading to protections under the Endangered Species Act in certain populations.
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Ongoing Challenges: While there have been recovery successes, dangers like illegal fishing, pollution, and continued habitat alterations still threaten many white sturgeon populations.
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Hatchery Programs: Some conservation efforts rely on hatcheries to boost juvenile sturgeon numbers and help repopulate rivers.
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Responsible Fishing: Where allowed, strict regulations and catch-and-release practices offer the hope of a sustainable co-existence between humans and this ancient fish.
Farmed Salmon & Sturgeon Caviar?
Yes, we farm Salmon. Our Salmon is land based farmed. Meaning we don't manipulate of affect open waters. With total control, we are able to raise the highest quality Coho Salmon. In fact, our Salmon Caviar is a result of our Salmon program which consists mostly of providing other farms with our sought after fertilized Coho Salmon eggs to be raised in aquafarms worldwide.
Meeting Global Food Demand
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Population Growth: With the human population projected to reach 10 billion by 2050, there's a tremendous need for sustainable food sources. Aquaculture is critical to increase the volume of food available globally.
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Limited Wild-Caught Fisheries: Traditional fishing has reached its limits. Many important fish stocks are overfished or at risk, making wild-caught seafood an unsustainable protein source in the long run. Aquaculture fills this gap, easing pressure on wild populations.
Nutrition and Health Benefits
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High-Quality Protein: Farmed fish and shellfish provide valuable protein, healthy fats (like omega-3s), vitamins, and minerals essential for human health.
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Accessibility: Aquaculture opens opportunities to make nutritious seafood more accessible to communities far from coastal regions and populations that haven't traditionally relied on fish.
Sustainability and Environmental Advantages
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Efficient Protein Production: Compared to land-based livestock, many farmed fish species have excellent feed conversion ratios, meaning they need less feed to produce a pound of meat. This translates to less resource (land, water, feed) use per unit of protein.
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Reduced Carbon Footprint: Certain aquaculture systems and species combinations may boast smaller carbon footprints than terrestrial animal agriculture.
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Potential for Ocean Restoration: Sustainable seaweed and shellfish farming may actually improve water quality and create valuable marine habitats.
Economic Impacts
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Job Creation: Aquaculture provides jobs and supports coastal communities and rural economies worldwide.
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Food Security: Reliable, locally-produced food via aquaculture enhances food security for communities at risk from global supply chain disruptions or food shortages.
Important Considerations and Challenges
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Environmental Regulation: It's vital that aquaculture prioritizes sustainability, minimizes pollution, and protects aquatic ecosystems. Proper guidelines and regulations are vital.
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Disease Management: Fish farms can potentially experience disease outbreaks that might require careful management to prevent environmental contamination and the spread to wild populations.
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Feed Sustainability: Choosing aquaculture systems that don't depend on overexploited marine resources for feed is crucial.
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Social Equity: As aquaculture develops, it's essential to ensure small-scale producers and coastal communities benefit from its growth.
The Future of Aquaculture Aquaculture plays a vital role in securing the world's future food supply in a way that balances production with environmental responsibility. Continued improvements in sustainability, innovation in technologies, and responsible regulation will help this industry pave the way for a future with food security for everyone.
Health Benefits of Caviar
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Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Sturgeon caviar is rich in omega-3s, specifically EPA and DHA. These healthy fats promote heart health, support brain function, and might play a role in reducing inflammation.
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Vitamin B12: This crucial vitamin plays a role in red blood cell production, DNA synthesis, and nerve health. Many people are deficient, and caviar is an excellent source.
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Selenium: This powerful antioxidant protects cells from damage, supports thyroid function, and plays a role in the immune system.
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Other Vitamins and Minerals: Caviar provides smaller amounts of vitamins A, E, and D, alongside minerals like iron, magnesium, and calcium.
Potential Health Benefits:
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Heart Health: The omega-3s in caviar can help lower triglycerides, reduce blood pressure, and may be beneficial against heart disease.
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Cognitive Function and Mood: Omega-3s are shown to support brain health, memory, and cognitive function. They may also help with depression and anxiety.
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Immunity: Vitamin A, E, and selenium from caviar act as antioxidants and have an important role in a healthy immune system.
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Anti-Aging: Omega-3s and antioxidants promote skin health and protect cells from damage, potentially contributing to anti-aging effects.
Important Considerations:
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Portion Size: Caviar is savored in small amounts, so while nutritious, it shouldn't be seen as a significant source of your daily nutrient needs.
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Sodium: Caviar is high in sodium, so consumption needs to be moderated for individuals with high blood pressure or other salt-sensitive conditions.
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Sustainability and Ethical Choices: Choose caviar from ethically-farmed sturgeon with reputable aquaculture practices to ensure your choices support sustainability.
Overall, sturgeon caviar delivers a concentrated boost of valuable nutrients that can potentially support several aspects of health.