Shrapnel continues to appear in fish pools at a farm along the Israel-Lebanon border, a consequence of ongoing conflicts between Hezbollah rockets and Israeli missile interceptors. Despite the dangers, about a dozen farmers, including the fish farm's manager, Assaf Koren, have chosen to remain and care for their stock.
The farm houses approximately 50,000 female osetra sturgeon, whose ovaries could yield up to $40 million in caviar once harvested and sold globally. Koren expressed uncertainty about the safety of his workers amidst the conflict but emphasized the necessity of their tasks.
In a recent incident, a Hezbollah rocket damaged the Caviar Galilee factory, igniting a truck and prompting the staff to return to work the next day. The latest conflict has displaced over 60,000 people in northern Israel and approximately one million in Lebanon, with some residents cautiously returning home following a cease-fire.
A small number of farmers, including Koren and fish biologist Avshalom Hurvitz, remained at the farm to protect their investment and maintain the sturgeon. They adhere to a strict feeding schedule aligned with the sturgeon ovulation cycle, which is crucial for caviar production.
During the conflict, Koren prioritized the farm's operations, often communicating with the Israeli military for updates and safety protocols. He transitioned from military service to fish farming, which he views as a form of Zionism that helps strengthen Jewish presence in Israel.
The farm, located a mile from the Lebanese border, has faced direct threats from combat, resulting in a stressful environment for both workers and the sturgeon. Stress from explosions has been shown to adversely affect the fish's reproductive capabilities, leading to lower-than-expected caviar production this season.
Caviar Galilee, founded by six kibbutzim in the 1990s, has become a successful enterprise, producing roughly six tons of caviar annually. The farm's products, marketed under the brand Karat Caviar, are sought after by high-end restaurants, with prices reaching up to $3,600 per pound for consumers.
While the majority of its caviar is sold in the United States, demand remains high globally, despite the challenges posed by the ongoing conflict and market fluctuations.