They have been commercially culturing sturgeon since about 1980. At first they artifically spawn wild fish and raise the resulting fry. The first brood fish were captured on the Columbia. The eggs from the females were surgically removed and the female released.

It was not too long until the cultured males were successfully used as brood fish but it was some time before the industry was able to succesfully used cultured females as brood fish. I believe that there currently are several "farms" in California that produce fresh fillets and cavier. Don't kow how widely those products are marketed.

The knowledge from the development of that industry has been used to provide young sturgeon in several areas in the upper Columbia and tribs where white sturgeon populations have struggled.

It would interesting to know if those costco fish were farmed or not? I will have to check out the fish department and ask a question or two the next time the wife and I shop there.

Tight lines
Curt