ODWC Research Center --- a self-funded and sustainable government operation

Jason D. Schooley Oklahoma Dept. of Wildlife Conservation Paddlefish Research Center “Funds from sales are the byproduct of a well-managed fishery”

- Dr. Dennis Scarnecchia, Univ. of Idaho What is caviar?

• Officially, salted roe from huso What is caviar? What is caviar? What is caviar? Beluga Caviar = $$$ Caspian Stock Collapse Caspian Stock Collapse Restricted Trade

• • Habitat loss • Lack of management

www.caviaremptor.org Restricted Trade

• Endangered 1996 Critically Endangered 2010 • US Import prohibited 2005 Species Domino Effect

• Collapse or regulation of one species / stock… shift harvest pressure to a surrogate or similar species

Sturgeon Paddlefish

• Close relative of the sturgeon (same family) • Large (125 lbs in OK) • Paddlefish caviar is similar to beluga • 450,000 (20lbs, 25% of body weight) Paddlefish Caviar “Malossol”

Retails up to $30/oz Paddlefish Range Oklahoma Paddlefish

Paddlefish Research Center

103 lbs Oklahoma Paddlefish

• Stocks are stable / reproducing • Commercial fishing prohibited in 1993 • Sport angling tradition Oklahoma Paddlefish

• Illegal harvest was occurring • Regulations prohibited sale or trade of paddlefish roe (3 lbs for personal use) – Discarded by most anglers • Effective management required in-depth stock assessment – Requires fish sacrifice Stock Assessment

Eggs, testes, and gonadal fat bodies: Length, weight, and sex sexual maturity, health, etc.

Otolith, jaw, and fin ray: aging structures Rostrum tip: coded wire tags Fin sample: genetics The idea

• Need data for stock assessment • Anglers are harvesting fish and discarding the roe

• ODWC could capture the data by using angler-harvested specimens – Roe could be made into caviar and sold to fund the program The idea

• Technically, not an original one • Cooperative effort MT/ND at Intake The philosophy

“Funds from caviar sales are the byproduct of a well-managed fishery”

- Dr. Dennis Scarnecchia, Univ. of Idaho ODWC opens PRC

• 2008, ODWC opens Paddlefish Research Center on the Neosho River / Grand Lake

• Free fish cleaning in exchange for biological data and roe salvage Humble beginnings

• Twin Bridges State Park State of the art Facility PRC Process Flow

Paddlefish Research Center Paddlefish Live fish Angler Biological Gonad Data Data Collection Station

Fish / Fish Wildlife Cleaning Roe Research Station Processing Pet & Cons. Station Food Cold Storage

$ Caviar Caviar Frozen Packing Salting Buyer Storage Station Station PRC Process Flow

Paddlefish Research Center Paddlefish Live fish Angler PRC Process Flow

Paddlefish Research Center Paddlefish Live fish Angler Biological Data Collection PRC Process Flow

Paddlefish Research Center Paddlefish Live fish Angler Biological Gonad Data Data Collection Station

Fish Cleaning Station PRC Process Flow

Paddlefish Research Center Paddlefish Live fish Angler Biological Gonad Data Data Collection Station

Fish Cleaning Roe Station Processing Pet Station Food Cold Storage

Packing Salting Station Station PRC Process Flow

Paddlefish Research Center Paddlefish Live fish Angler Biological Gonad Data Data Collection Station

Fish Cleaning Roe Station Processing Pet Station Food Cold Storage

Packing Salting Station Station PRC Process Flow

Paddlefish Research Center Paddlefish Live fish Angler Biological Gonad Data Data Collection Station

Fish Cleaning Roe Station Processing Pet Station Food Cold Storage

Packing Salting Station Station PRC Process Flow

Paddlefish Research Center Paddlefish Live fish Angler Biological Gonad Data Data Collection Station

Fish / Fish Wildlife Cleaning Roe Research Station Processing Pet & Cons. Station Food Cold Storage

$ Caviar Caviar Frozen Packing Salting Buyer Storage Station Station Value Added

• Free fish cleaning and bait for anglers

• Fish remains are repurposed

• Stock assessment data for ODWC – Angler permit & survey

• Caviar proceeds benefit statewide The Complexity

• HACCP analysis, HACCP Plan – Seafood allergen – Environmental contaminants – Pathogens

• Facility sanitation, GMPs

• Inspection by multiple entities The Complexity The Complexity

• CITES Non-Detriment Finding (NDF) – Traceability – Sustainability Traceability

• Demonstrate chain of custody • Ensure source of caviar • Ensure legality Sustainability

• Monitor and document stock status • Evaluate impacts of harvest on stock • Demonstrate control via harvest management • Have a plan The Successes

• Statewide Ecological Management Plan Data – Published findings Angler Responsible Harvest Management Research • Research Grants Law Enforcement • Internship Program

• Mgmt. feedback loops Conclusions

• ODWC mission – develop and maintain responsible use and enjoyment of OK fish and wildlife resources Conclusions

• Mgmt. Plan Philosophy – Paddlefish are a valuable resource – Angling is important – The resource should benefit many, not few – Harvest data are critical for responsible mgmt. & anglers are a good source – Evaluation, regulation, enforcement, education Conclusions • ODWC Paddlefish Research Center –Self-funded –Responsible –Sustainable Acknowledgements • Dr. Dennis Scarnecchia, U. of Idaho

• PRC Crew – Brent Gordon, Tim Miller, Brandon Brown

• PRC Interns & ODWC Fisheries Staff

• Wishard Caviar Consultants

• Paddlefish anglers