BAKU Head of Iranian Fisheries Company's International Research Bureau on Sturgeon Fish said here Saturday that practical steps must be taken by Caspian Sea's littoral states to preserve its sea food resources.

Talking to IRNA in Baku, Mohammad Pourkazemi added, "Otherwise, the sturgeon fish of the Caspian Sea, from which 90 percent of the world's best grade Caviar is extracted would sooner or later be on the verge of distinction."

Pourkazemi referred to unlicensed fishing, vast spread illegal sales of Caviar in all littoral states and uncontrolled fishing all year round in many of them as factors that threaten the ecosystem of this shared God-given wealth.

The Iranian Fisheries official emphasized, "A first priority for all littoral states should be adopting severe measures against such destructive practices."

Pourkazemi said that in Iran, fishing, extracting and breeding of the sturgeon fish, as well as research work and effort aimed at the making up for the damaged population of these fish are all under the full control of the government.

He referred to the budget allocated to such purposes in Iran and ruled out the participation of the private sector in this field, due to the sector's short term interests.

The Iranian Fisheries official said the only way to secure long-term interests of all the five littoral states is harmonized cooperation among them in usage of the underground resources, sea foods and preservation of the ecosystem.