An Assessment of the Fish Maw Trade in Singapore and Malaysia Reveals Threatened Species and Highlights the Need for a More Complete Assessment of the Conservation Status of the World's Fishes

Abstract

Fish maw, the dried swim bladder of teleost fish, is consumed throughout much of East and Southeast Asia. The serving of maw is seen as an indicator of wealth, prestige, and status in Chinese culture. While Hong Kong and mainland China are considered major fish maw importers, its trade in these countries remains largely understudied. This lack of research is even more apparent throughout Southeast Asia where fish maw is widely available and frequently consumed. Here, we perform the first molecular survey of the maw trade in Singapore and Malaysia to identify the species of fish involved. Both countries are significant global importers, consumers, and re-exporters of maw. We collected 503 maw samples from products that ranged in price from $59 to $53,375 per kg dried weight. We identified a number of endangered species and suggest that a Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) listing be implemented on a number of species to avoid trade incompatible with their continued persistence. Reflecting the limited research into the conservation status of marine fish, we find a high proportion of the identified samples assessed as data deficient or not evaluated.