More than 4,000 farm-grown sturgeon euthanized at Breviro's Pennfield plant

CBC News has learned more than 4,000 farm-grown sturgeon have been euthanized after the province stepped in at Breviro Caviar's Pennfield operation over animal welfare concerns.

• Caviar companyBrevirocould see fish stock go to rival
• Charlo contractor owed $250K by problem-plagued caviar firm
• Breviro Caviar Inc. trying to keep afloat

RickDoucet,New Brunswick's minister of agriculture,aquacultureand fisheries,says the provincecouldn't find a solution to sell the fishand afterbeing left alone for a period of time, the health of some fish renderedthem beyond saving.

"Basically when the fish are left alone for any period of time, you know, something needs to be done," said Doucet.

Breviro Caviar has been in financial dire straits for months.U.S. regulations which deniedaccess toAmerican markets created a major problem for the company.

Almost $1M in investment

Since 2011, the company has received a total of $300,000 from Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, a $500,000 investment from the New Brunswick Innovation Foundationand $135,000 from the provincial government.

Despite trying to keep the company afloat, staff were laid off at the company's Pennfield facility.The company informed the province it could no longer afford to feed the fish. After the province intervened, it was determined the sturgeon had not reached maturity and were not fit for consumption.

On May 27 and 28, of the 4,102 fish on site all but 70were euthanized. Some of thosespared weresent to the Huntsman Marine Science Centrein St. Andrews.

The euthanization"was done in a humane manner under the oversight of our chiefaquacultureveterinarian," said Doucet.

The province confirmed it isfeeding the fish at Breviro'sother facility inCharloand monitoring their welfare.Doucetsays the governmentis working with Breviroto sell the fish at that location.

"It looks to be a little bit more positive with their fish in the Charlo operation "