The Deepest Lake in the World in Russia Contains the “Monster Fish” Weighing Hundreds of Kilograms.
Lake Baikal is located in the heart of the Eastern Siberian plains in Russia. It is the largest freshwater lake in the world (holding about 1/5 of the Earth’s surface freshwater) – the deepest in the world (1,642 meters) – and the oldest in the world (20 to 25 million years old).
Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1996, Lake Baikal is home to many unique biological resources. The flora and fauna in the lake are rich and diverse. There are about 1,500 to 1,800 species of animals at various depths and hundreds of plant species living on or near the surface. Most of these species are endemic to Baikal, among which the most surprising is the Russian sturgeon.
Sturgeon in the largest freshwater lake in the world, Baikal.
The Russian sturgeon is one of the most valuable species inhabiting the rivers of Russia, ranging eastward to Lake Baikal.
Globally, sturgeon is an ancient migratory fish family that originated about 200 million years ago. The Baikal sturgeon alone has been around for over 2,500 years and has formed the core of the Baikal ecosystem over the centuries.
The Russian sturgeon (scientific name: Acipenser gueldenstaedtii), also known as diamond sturgeon or Danube sturgeon, is capable of living up to 48 years and primarily resides in brackish waters, migrating into freshwater to spawn.
The Baikal sturgeon is very large. In its natural habitat, this sturgeon can reach lengths of up to 2 meters and weigh up to 100 kg. The body of the sturgeon is also very broad. Its scales are beautiful, silver-gray in color, which helps protect the sturgeon from external environmental impacts and enhances its hydrodynamic performance.
Lake Baikal is the largest, deepest, and oldest freshwater lake in the world. (Photo: Sohu).
The largest sturgeon in Lake Baikal has become a legend in the aquatic world. It is not only gigantic but also has a long history. This fish is one of the focal points of biological conservation in Lake Baikal.
In Lake Baikal, sturgeon occupies a core position in the lake’s ecosystem and is one of the keys to maintaining the ecological balance here.
Sturgeon Could Become Extinct in Russia
Today, the Russian sturgeon is listed as critically endangered. The sturgeon population is rapidly declining in the wild due to illegal fishing to supply the caviar industry. At the current rate of decline, extinction in the near future is inevitable.
Sturgeon fishing on the Volga River, Volgograd, Russia. (Photo: Jonathan Wright/Bruce Coleman Inc).
Although the Lake Baikal Reserve has implemented a series of protective measures, overfishing by foreign fishing vessels and the demand for sturgeon by the public have led to many sturgeons being hunted, including many smaller individuals falling victim.
According to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, the Russian sturgeon is seriously threatened and the next step could be extinction.
According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, sturgeons are valued for their meat, roe, and swim bladders. Their meat is sold fresh, pickled, or smoked.
Salted sturgeon roe is a highly valued food product.
Sturgeon roe is extracted from the females and then released. This is a luxury food item, highly priced due to its nutrient-rich content.
Among them, the Royal Osetra caviar [from the Russian sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii)] is extremely expensive. Caviarcentre states that Royal Osetra caviar has been reserved for noble families for centuries, providing ultimate luxury. This type of caviar is famous for its rarity and delicate flavor.
To purchase 50 grams of Royal Osetra caviar, buyers must pay $285 (over 7.2 million VND at current exchange rates). The price for 1 kg of this type of caviar is $5,600 (over 142 million VND), according to Caviarcentre. However, due to the scarcity of this type of caviar, not everyone can afford it.
The inner membrane of the sturgeon’s swim bladder is used to make isinglass – a very pure form of gelatin used for various industrial purposes.
The integrity and health of the Lake Baikal ecosystem are extremely important, as they relate not only to human life but also to the balance of the entire material cycle and energy transformation of the Earth.
Lake Baikal is one of the oldest natural freshwater lakes in the world. Its formation can be traced back 25 million years.
It also showcases a profound and mysterious ecosystem. The sight of sturgeon in Lake Baikal reminds us that this is not only a pleasant tourist destination but also a beautiful and vibrant world.
