Shrapnel and Resilience: Caviar Farming Amid Conflict in Israel

In the shadow of war, the ongoing conflict at the Israel-Lebanon border has significantly impacted local businesses, particularly those in agriculture and aquaculture. Among them is Caviar Galilee, a fish farm specializing in osetra sturgeon, where the owner's commitment to his craft underscores the challenges people face under duress.

Assaf Koren, who runs Caviar Galilee located in Kibbutz Dan, describes the reality of daily life impacted by conflict. For over a year, the farm has been under threat from Hezbollah rockets, with shrapnel frequently finding its way into their fish pools. Despite these dangers, Koren expresses a relentless dedication to maintain operations. He asserts that the fish, particularly the female sturgeon, hold immense economic potential with their ovaries, promising a decade's worth of premium caviar that can be worth tens of millions of dollars on international markets.

Koren acknowledges the psychological toll as he grapples with the decision to put his employees' lives at risk every day. His determination is evident as he continues to employ workers, even after a recent rocket strike caused notable damage to the farm. “We must continue,” Koren insists, underscoring the reality that, for him and his employees, stopping production is not an option.

Despite the grave circumstances, the local community remains resolute. Koren's commitment to caviar farming stands as a testament to human resilience and adaptability amid the chaos of war. The ongoing conflict has thus transformed the local landscape into one where agriculture faces both peril and opportunity, as people strive to secure their livelihoods against the backdrop of uncertainty.