Homestead could get caviar production facility

MIAMI - Homestead could land a $50 million aquaculture center for the production of caviar by a Miami Beach company.

Caviar Creator, a company with German origins that opened an office on the Beach this year, is weighing other sites in Florida for the operation. The planned 50-acre premises, which the company hopes to open next year, could create 100 to 125 jobs. The business employs five at its Miami Beach base.

"We plan to make a decision in two weeks," said CEO Frank Schaefer, who is emphatic that the company will choose Florida. "We had offers from Louisiana and Mississippi, but we decided to stay here. We will build our next facility in Florida."

Mr. Schaefer said the company also is considering Fort Pierce. Caviar Creator, a 4-year-old enterprise, has four facilities in Germany and plans to open operations in China and Serbia to meet world demand for caviar in the midst of dwindling supplies and fishing bans.

Miami-Dade County could be a key part of the development. "We are planning a world headquarters," Mr. Schaefer said. "We moved to Miami Beach from Las Vegas earlier this year."

The relocation preceded a US Fish and Wildlife Service ban on beluga caviar from the Caspian Sea on Sept. 30 and its extension to the Black Sea on Oct. 28. These moves distort the market in the US, which accounts for 60% of the global demand for caviar. The company plans to farm osetra, beluga and albino sturgeon varieties of caviar at its aquaculture center. The venture has support from two Miami Beach enterprises that feature or plan to offer the company's caviar.

Source: Miami Today News