Endangered Fish Species Found in Singapore and Malaysia‘s Fish Maw Products
A new study reveals the DNA of six endangered fish species has been detected in fish maw products sold in Singapore and Malaysia, raising concerns about unsustainable fishing practices and the lack of transparency in the trade of this Chinese delicacy. Researchers from the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) published their findings on June 24 in the journal Conservation Letters, highlighting a critical gap in the regulation of this lucrative market.
Fish maw, the dried swim bladder of fish, is a highly prized ingredient in Chinese cuisine, valued for its texture and purported health benefits. Widely consumed across East and South-east Asia,it’s frequently enough seen as a symbol of wealth and status. Though, determining the species origin of fish maw is notoriously challenging. As one researcher explained, “Fish maw has been processed, flattened, cleaned and washed. you can’t determine what species the maw comes from without using genetic methods – so we have no idea of what species are involved in this trade in South-east Asia.”
This lack of traceability is compounded by the way fish maw is categorized in international trade. Currently, it’s aggregated with other dried fish products under broad commodity codes, making effective oversight nearly impossible. “Commodity codes are meant to say, this is shark fin, this is shrimp, this is fish maw – but at the moment, all these products are lumped together and imported as dried fish goods,” a researcher noted.
DNA Analysis Reveals Troubling Trends
To address this knowledge gap,researchers collected 480 fish maw samples from stores in malaysia between October and December 2023,and in Singapore from January to April 2024. Visits to dried goods shops in locations like Victoria Wholesale Center and Albert centre in Singapore, and numerous shops in Chinatown, yielded a diverse range of samples. DNA analysis successfully identified 39 fish species across both countries. The price of these products ranged from $80 to $1,184 per kilogram in singapore.
The most frequently identified species was the blackspotted croaker (Protonibea diacanthus), accounting for 58 of the 480 samples. While currently classified as “near threatened” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), this designation indicates a high likelihood of becoming endangered in the near future.
More alarmingly, the study identified four endangered species and two critically endangered species within the sampled fish maw products. These included the cassava croaker (Pseudotolithus senegalensis), American eel (Anguilla rostrata), fourfinger threadfin (Eleutheronema tetradactylum), and iridescent shark (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus).
Illegal Trade and Conservation Concerns
The analysis also revealed the presence of the large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea) and, substantially, the European eel (Anguilla anguilla), both listed as critically endangered. The discovery of European eel is particularly concerning,as the European Union enacted a zero-export quota in 2010 to protect the species. “It’s not that surprising that eel maw has been sold, as you can find the eels here,” a researcher commented. “But it’s interesting that the European eel is still making it here, because that should have been banned a long time ago.”
calls for Lasting Practices and Consumer Awareness
The findings underscore the urgent need for greater transparency and sustainability within the fish maw trade. According to Mr. Chester Gan,the marine lead at the World Wide fund for Nature (WWF) singapore,the lack of species-specific labeling makes it difficult for consumers to make informed choices. He emphasized that both businesses and consumers have a role to play, stating, “Given that fish maw may originate from fisheries with little data, endangered species, or unsustainable fishing practices that harm vulnerable marine life, we urge both consumers and businesses to consider more sustainable alternatives.”
Researchers suggest the most responsible course of action is to avoid consuming fish maw altogether unless its species, origin, and the sustainability of its fishery can be verified. “The hope is, as more people become aware of the damage caused by unsustainable fishing, they may turn away from products of unknown origin and towards seafood from sustainable fisheries,” a researcher stated.”Or else, when a species targeted for fish maw gets fished out, it’s very likely we’ll turn to another species and fish that one out, and then do the same for the next ones.”
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Unpacking the Global Fish Maw Trade: From Amazon to Asia
The recent findings regarding endangered species in Singapore and Malaysia’s fish maw products highlight a critical issue: the global nature of the trade. Demand for fish maw, driven primarily by its perceived culinary and medicinal benefits in East Asia, fuels a complex web of international commerce that spans multiple continents. The initial study focused on Southeast Asia, but the origins of the fish themselves and the downstream effects of the trade extend much further, implicating fisheries and ecosystems worldwide.
The high price commanded by fish maw, sometimes referred to as “gold in the sea” [[3]], incentivizes unsustainable fishing practices and illegal trade. This has led to the depletion of fish stocks, the destruction of marine habitats, and the involvement of organized crime in some regions.
A World of Suppliers
While the study focused on the retail end in Singapore and Malaysia, the supply chains originate in diverse locations. Some key regions include:
- South America: Particularly the Amazon River basin, where certain species are harvested for their swim bladders [[3]]. This has led to overfishing and threats to local communities who depend on these resources.
- Africa: Fisheries in West Africa, known for croakers, are another supply source. Unregulated fishing and poorly managed fisheries are common, impacting vulnerable fish populations [[2]].
- Southeast Asia: Though studied as a market, the region is also a hub of production, with local fisheries supplying fish maw to the regional and international markets. Further information on the role of Southeast Asian fisheries in overall fish maw supply is needed.
The international trade of fish maw is also influenced by fluctuating exchange rates,import/export regulations,and evolving consumer preferences. The current lack of effective international oversight makes it difficult to fully comprehend the extent and impact of this global trade.
Spotlight on Overfished Species
The primary concern is the increasing prevalence of endangered species in the fish maw trade. The species identified in the Singapore and Malaysia study,like the Cassava Croaker and the critically endangered European Eel,are just the tip of the iceberg. Further research is required to identify other at-risk species being exploited. Additionally, it is
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