China's craze for 'aquatic cocaine' is pushing two species into oblivion

Affluent Chinese are putting two Mexican species at risk due to demand for dried swim bladders. But will this year’s Cites meeting on the wildlife trade force a crackdown?
Many would probably find the idea of consuming a fish’s swim bladder unappetizing. More still would be unwilling to part with £2,000 for such a bladder, otherwise known as a maw. But China’s demand for swim bladders from a giant Mexican fish – the totoaba – is not only putting it at risk, bu