The first generation of captive white sturgeon has been successfully bred in captivity in Chile, after 15 years of failed attempts.

The project was undertaken under the framework of the Fund for the Promotion of Scientific and Technological Development (FONDEF), financed by National Commission for Scientific Investigation and Technology (CONICYT) and headed by the aquatic investigator and academic of the University of Los Lagos, Juan Carlos Uribe.

According to reports, the aim of the US$384 million project was to create sturgeon that can be produced commercially.

The sturgeon will be used to create high-in-demand caviar. Each kilogramme of caviar can be worth between US$1,000 and US$2,000, and a sturgeon can weigh up to 200 kilogrammes.