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<< Notifications of 1998

Notification to the Parties

No. 1998/16 Geneva, 27 April 1998

CONCERNING:

Marking of Caviar Exported from the Islamic Republic of Iran

1. About 95 per cent of the caviar from sturgeons exported from the Islamic Republic of Iran is packed in metal tins of 1 and 2 kg in weight (net weight respectively about 900 and 1800 g). All tins of these sizes are blue and are closed with a rubber band the colour of which depends on the quality of the caviar:

- blue for Beluga
- yellow for Asetra
- red for Sevruga.

Each tin is contained in a net, which is sealed. Three of the tins, in their nets, are then packed in a cotton bag, which is also sealed. The bags are transported in wooden boxes. The first photograph on the following page shows the different types of packaging.

2. A small volume of sturgeon caviar is exported from the Islamic Republic of Iran in small containers of 30, 50, 100, 200 and 300 g. The colour of the cap of each tin or glass jar indicates the type of caviar it contains, as above. The second photograph on the following page shows a sample of a tin and a glass jar.

3. The Secretariat has received colour photocopies of the photographs shown on the following page and can provide colour copies to Parties that request them for enforcement purposes.

4. A lower quality of caviar of all types is sold under the name "pressed caviar" and is packed in barrels of 10, 15 and 20 kg. The Islamic Republic of Iran has provided no information about the marking of these barrels.

5. The attention of the Parties is drawn to the fact that the Islamic Republic of Iran has designated a specific Management Authority responsible for the issuance of permits for sturgeon specimens. A specific permit form is used for this purpose.

6. The Secretariat would appreciate being informed of any problem encountered in the control of trade in caviar and other sturgeon specimens.