Breviro Caviar Inc.

Late in 2010, Breviro Caviar Inc. acquired the assets of Supreme Sturgeon and Caviar Ltd. of Pennfield, N.B., which began operations in 1998. The goal today is the same as it was nearly two decades ago; to revive one of the rarest Shortnose sturgeon stocks on the planet, Acipenser Brevirostrum, and to once again provide its much sought-after caviar to the world.

Since 1967, the Endangered Species Act has listed the Acipenser Brevirostrum sturgeon as ‘Endangered’, although ongoing study has confirmed many recovering populations, and a long-term healthy population in New Brunswick’s Saint John River. Trade in sturgeon caviar has been controlled and regulated by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) since 1998. Breviro Caviar is the only caviar producing CITES approved captive breeding facility in the world, enabling it to farm, harvest, and sell the caviar produced at its state-of-the-art aquaculture facilities. Breviro Caviar has worked since January 2013 with the Research and Productivity Council (RPC) of New Brunswick, an Innoventures Canada consortium member organization assisting Canadian companies in commercializing their research. The work with RPC has improved the processing, quality, and consistency of its caviar.

“In the next two to three years the goal is to roughly double our current capacity. RPC will be instrumental in continuing to improve the quality and consistency of our caviar as we grow.”
Jonathan Barry, CEO, Breviro Caviar Inc.

The rarity of the caviar, along with its size, texture, colour, and flavour are what makes Breviro’s product so valuable. Of course, quality and consistency are also extremely important in the production of the coveted caviar, and it was a main driver in Breviro’s decision to contract RPC. As a small company with 12 full-time employees, Breviro has relied on RPC for its expertise, resources, and facilities such as its world-class analytical chemistry and material-testing laboratories, comprehensive life science capabilities, and its internationally recognized fish health lab, to conduct advanced bacteriological and biochemistry testing to determine the different variables that affect the overall quality and consistency of its caviar.

RPC addresses the processing challenges faced by Breviro. Everything has been extensively studied and tested from the bacteriology, and how different bacteria affect the membrane breakdown of the eggs, to the way eggs are extracted from the ovaries of the sturgeon, to the preparation and impact of osmosis in washing, transferring, and salting of the caviar. Biochemical and thermal treatments have been tested and applied to strengthen the membrane of the eggs, without restricting the transfer of salt into the caviar, and to limit the process of protein denaturing.

Breviro’s work with RPC has resulted in more efficient processing techniques, less wastage, and an overall improvement in quality and consistency of the final product. As Breviro ramps up production, it hopes to continue its work with RPC in the future.

I have reviewed this document and release its content to Innoventures Canada and RPC for the purpose of impact reporting.

Jonathan Barry
CEO, Breviro Caviar Inc.