TEHRAN, Dec. 27 – Iran’s International Sturgeon Research Institute has been chosen as the international center for the development of aquaculture and sturgeon in Asia-Pacific region, the Persian service of ISNA reported here on Wednesday.

In a session of NACA (Network of Aquaculture Centers in Asia-Pacific), Iran managed to gain the official certificate of the network for the Dr. Dadman International Sturgeon Research Institute. The institute is located in Iran’s northern port city of Bandar Anzali.

The NACA meeting was held in Bangkok, Thailand, in Aug. 6, 2006. A number of experts and representatives from Asia-Pacific fisheries organizations attended the international event.

The U.N. Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora has imposed a ban on fishing sturgeon species based on the fear that the beluga is facing extinction.

Iran is the only nation bordering the Caspian Sea with U.N. permission to export the unfertilized sturgeon eggs that are one of the world\'s most expensive foods.