NATURE . WILDLIFE

BILLION DOLLAR FISH

52' (ENG, GER)

Deep in the waters of the Danube lives a prehistoric giant. It survived when the dinosaurs became extinct, but now time is running out.

They are virtually unchanged from their ancestors, who swam in ancient rivers when the dinosaurs still ruled the planet. Their unfertilised eggs became black gold, served in only the most expensive restaurants as caviar. This ancient giant is the Beluga Sturgeon, considered by some to be the largest freshwater fish in the world. Sturgeons are now at the very edge of extinction because of the exclusive market for their eggs, but only the eggs can allow the species to live. Paradoxically, the desire for caviar may now be the only chance they have for their future existence.

‘Billion Dollar Fish’ is a story of mystery and intrigue, of greed and desperation, of desire and aspiration — of an ancient giant and how her eggs have taken on a value almost beyond that of gold.