Sturgeons and paddlefishes (Acipenseridae) are highly endangered freshwater fishes. Their eggs (sold as caviar) are one of the most valuable wildlife products in international trade. Concerns of overharvesting and the conservation status of many of the 27 extant species of Acipenseriformes led to all species being included on the CITES Appendices in 1998. Since then international trade in all products and parts from sturgeon and paddlefish has been regulated. However, despite the controls on trade, unsustainable harvesting continues to threaten many populations. Illegal fishing and trade continues to be a threat to the management of these fish. To enforce the regulation of legal trade and prevention of illegal trade, the development of a uniform identification system for parts and derivates of Acipenseriformes has been identified as an urgent requirement. Ideally this system should be suitable for (i) identification at the species‐level of caviar and other products from Acipenseriformes; (ii) population identification; (iii) source identification (wild vs aquaculture); and (iv) determining the age of caviar because strict timeframes govern its international trade. This paper reviews the techniques currently available and their potential to be used in an identification system for Acipenseriformes species and their products in trade. A review of all available identification techniques has shown that there is not a single method that can meet all requirements (see i–iv), and it does not appear to be feasible to develop such a method in the near future therefore the most appropriate methods need to be developed for each. Considering the advantages and disadvantages of all techniques reviewed in this document, the following conclusions can be drawn: (i) for the identification of species, approaches are recommended that target mitochondrial cytochrome b sequences (RFLP, nested PCR or direct sequencing). However, they show limitations for the detection of hybrids (although natural hybrids are rare, the number of artificially produced hybrids in aquaculture is increasing) and for the differentiation of the following closely related species complexes: Acipenser gueldenstaedti–Acipenser baerii–Acipenser persicus–Acipenser naccarii; Acipenser medirostris–Acipenser mikadoi; and Scaphirhynchus albus–Scaphirhynchus plathorhynchus–Scaphirhynchus suttkusi; (ii) the identification of different populations of the same species is currently not feasible because genetic data are incomplete for most populations, and stocking and release programmes, which have become more and more common, often result in a mixture of phenotypes and genotypes, thereby impeding the creation and application of such a population identification system; (iii) source identification based on genetic approaches can be excluded at present because there are no genetic differences between wild and hatchery‐raised fish. This is the result of the continuing restocking of natural populations with captive fish and vice versa. However, because rearing (i.e. environmental) conditions are different, methods focusing on differences in water quality or food seem to be more appropriate (for example differences in fatty acid composition). So far, very few studies have been conducted and therefore, source identification methods merit further exploration; and (iv) the age of a product in trade cannot be detected by DNA‐based methods and protein profiling is undoubtedly impractical due to hard‐to‐perform, labour‐and cost‐intensive methods, which are highly susceptible to protein degradation. Arising from the limits discussed above, the next steps in the development of a uniform sturgeon identification system are proposed to be the following: (i) designation of qualified reference laboratories at national levels in (re‐) exporting and importing countries. These should be approved through a standardized testing procedure, for instance a ring test on blind samples. Registered laboratories should be published and disseminated and their accreditations should be subject to certain guarantees regarding quality, economic independence and scientific rigour. Operational procedures have to be determined and standardized among reference laboratories; (ii) establishment of reference collections that are accessible to the reference laboratories containing DNA analyses results and information on the location and availability of tissue samples. This is highly recommended as an important step towards a population identification system and indispensable for a general species identification system; (iii) creation of a website access to the reference collections containing the reference database information about genetic samples, comparable to NCBI, which provides background data: sample location; population information; citation; available genetic data; location of archival storage; currently treated and distributed caviar and status of analysis. This website should also be a forum for the exchange of knowledge on and experiences with identification systems, species and population status information, relevant scientific research, etc.; and (iv) the outcome of the trade identification tests should be made available to the reference laboratories for future reference. The universal caviar labelling system could incorporate an indication of the verification of the consignment. In view of the lack of knowledge and the great need to develop a uniform identification system for Acipenseriformes with regard to the importance of the international caviar trade, further scientific guidance and appropriate research is strongly recommended. Progress should be assessed and exchanged on a regular basis.

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