Toronto Company Convicted Under Federal Endangered Species Legislation for Unlawfully Importing Caviar

BRAMPTON, Ontario, November 14, 2006 – Caviar Centre Inc. today was convicted in the Ontario Court of Justice – Criminal Division, for unlawfully importing sturgeon caviar into Canada from Turkey without a permit. The company, one of Canada's premier caviar import and wholesale operations, was handed a fine of $3,000 and ordered to forfeit the 126 kilograms of seized caviar with a retail value estimated at $305,000.

Caviar is produced using the eggs of highly endangered sturgeon. The eggs can only be obtained by killing mature females during the prime of their breeding lives. It is alleged that the caviar in question originated in the Caspian Sea Region where all sturgeon are teetering on the brink of extinction. This situation is due to a high level of black market activity (conservatively estimated to be worth between $200 and $500 million globally in 2005) and a lack of enforcement of endangered species legislation resulting from the breakup of the former Soviet Union.

The conviction concluded an investigation undertaken by Environment Canada officers in late 2004 and early 2005. The investigation included the detection and detention of large quantities of caviar entering Canada at Pearson International Airport and a search warrant executed at the Toronto address of Caviar Centre Inc.

All endangered species of animals and plants, including sturgeon eggs (caviar) are listed under the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). All sturgeon and their parts and eggs are therefore protected under Canada's Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act (WAPPRIITA) and its regulations. WAPPRIITA is the legislative vehicle by which Canada meets its obligations under CITES.

The convicted company attempted to import caviar using falsified CITES permits, which are required to legally import and export endangered species into or out of Canada. Using falsified CITES permits is an offence under WAPPRIITA.

Environment Canada is the lead agency responsible for implementing CITES on behalf of the Government of Canada. CITES sets controls, through a permit system, on the international trade and movement of animal and plant species that are endangered, or have been, or may be, threatened due to excessive commercial exploitation.

Similar charges against Mark Omidi of Richmond Hill, the President and Owner of Caviar Centre Inc., were withdrawn following the conviction of the company.

The forfeited caviar will be destroyed, due to its age, as its human consumption in any manner would likely constitute a health hazard.

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