Baku , the capital of Azerbaijan, pumps some 250 to 300 million cubic meters of sewage into the Caspian annually. And the country is home to some of the globe's most polluted cities. Moreover, many fear the outcome when offshore oil drilling starts in the Caspian in earnest. Before 1991, the Soviet's did little to develop these reserves, choosing instead to focus on their established Siberian wells. But now oil companies from every continent are scrambling to drill offshore wells and are laying down pipelines to transport oil and natural gas to the eager markets of Europe and Asia.
Ichthyologists report that many sturgeon already show signs of poisoning and disease.
These fish have no natural prey, thanks to their bony exterior. Using nets to snare sturgeon at sea destroys males and immature fish along with the valuable gravid females. Environmental organizations estimate that the bulk of caviar reaching international markets is obtained through such illegal or unregulated fishing practices. Perhaps more alarming is the problem of overfishing. Faced with economic hardship, many people living around the Caspian have resorted to poaching .