In brief
Caviar producers in northern Israel continue their operations despite the dangers posed by a war that has ravaged their surroundings, aiming to secure a decade's worth of caviar despite the fallout from rocket fire.
In the northern region of Israel, specifically at Caviar Galilee, chaos reigns as ongoing conflict with Hezbollah casts a shadow over daily life. Fish farmer Assaf Koren leads a determined team operating amidst both physical danger and uncertainty. Over the past 14 months, debris from falling rockets has littered the fish pools, creating a surreal backdrop for the meticulous work of maintaining 50,000 female osetra sturgeons. Koren openly grapples with the daily risk, reflecting on whether it is sensible to ask his employees to return each day to this war-torn locale. Yet, with the promise of caviar, worth millions and shipped globally, the urgency of their work compels them to continue. Amidst the booms of missiles and the anxiety of incoming attacks, a resolve drives the farm's operations. The stakes became alarmingly real when a Hezbollah rocket damaged their facility, underscoring the harsh reality the farmers face. But giving up is not an option. With both determination and tools for defense, they persist in their routine—a commitment to ensure that the prized caviar reaches cities like New York and Tokyo, despite the perilous circumstances that surround them. This unique resilience characterizes this community along the Israel-Lebanon border, who continue to chase their dreams even as the world around them deals with destruction.
