The Danube sturgeon, often referred to as "osetr" (Acipenseridae family), is a group of ancient, long-lived fish species native to the Danube River basin in Eastern Europe, prized for their meat and highly valuable caviar. Historically, countries along the lower Danube—primarily Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, and Ukraine—have been the top sturgeon fishing nations, with Romania and Bulgaria especially renowned for their caviar production. The fishing industry for Danube sturgeon peaked in the 19th and early 20th centuries, but overfishing, habitat loss, and dam construction have led to dramatic population declines, pushing several species to the brink of extinction. Today, wild sturgeon fishing is severely restricted or banned in most Danube countries, with a shift toward aquaculture and strict conservation efforts, yet these nations remain central to the history and future of sturgeon fisheries and caviar production in Europe.
| Rank | Country | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Russian Federation | 21 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.