When people involved in the fisheries decided to call Dolphin by its Hawaiian name, Mahi Mahi, most people thought it was a sensible marketing move. Many restaurant goers recoiled when they saw Dolphin on the menu, thinking they were being asked to eat Flipper, the Bottlenose Dolphin. As we all know from the famous television series, Flipper was just like a human – except smarter and more sensitive – and it would be practically cannibalistic, to even think of frying him up.
Changing the name of Jewfish however, is an entirely different story. It is a peek into the extreme nature of political correctness that is taking over the government of our country. Overly sensitive bureaucrats, apparently just uncomfortable with the name, arbitrarily decided to change it to Goliath Grouper. With little consideration for tradition, the will of the people, or common sense, the mighty government flexed its nit-picking muscle, and the deed was done. Someone in the bureaucracy did not like the name, so it simply got changed.
No one that I’ve talked to, can figure out the reason for the change. It is certainly not to improve sales, since it’s not even legal to take a Jewfish. For the lack of any other rational explanation, it would seem apparent that either the word Jew is no longer kosher, or attaching its name to a fish, is offensive to someone. I was never taught that the word Jew is considered a derogatory, but maybe it’s just because my parents weren’t exposed to the bureaucracy’s sensitivity training courses.
Let us assume then, that it’s the word Jew itself, that has offended someone’s sensibilities. Admittedly, I don’t understand why, but then again, I am equally mystified with the new name. Goliath, a Philistine and a Gentile, was the biblical giant slain by a rock from the sling of the young David, a Jew. (Sorry! Should I have said Hebrew, or Israeli?) So what’s going on with the name Goliath? He was a giant like the Jewfish, but is it really that simple? I mean, wouldn’t that be way too insensitive to really big people? And what about that separation of church and state that is so important to judges and the ACLU.
I can’t quite put my finger on it, but there’s something going on here. Is it something about switching races, or is it something so subliminal that I’ll have to pick it up in a dream? Hmmm?……Hey! Wait a minute! I just thought of something! I’m a gentile! Does that have anything to do with this? Is somebody trying to teach us a lesson? What if I’m offended? Or…maybe I’m supposed to be offended. Gees, I’m going to have to think about this one awhile. It’s all so confusing.
Shortly after the name was changed I overheard an amusing, but nevertheless pointed, conversation. A black woman of Bahamian ancestry, was at the fish house, and told of the name change. “Goliath Grouper! Who did that?”
“The government.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know. I guess the Jews didn’t like the name.”
Laughing out loud, she said, “Well Honey! You can tell them for me, that as long as they’re calling it Black Grouper, I’ll be calling it Jewfish!”
But of course, like every other department of our government, fishery managers see political correctness as a serious matter, and find no humor in their lingual contortions. Today we are supposed to call all fishermen by the gender neutral name of fisher, lest we offend the 1% that are female. In 40 years of fish house management, I have known about a dozen women who fished for a living. Not a single lady ever took offense at being called a fisherman, but if she had, I would surely have referred to her as a fisher. By the same token, if it had been the established Jewish community taking offense at the name Jewfish, instead of hypersensitive bureaucrats, I believe everyone would willingly accept the name change.
As far as Jewfish being opened back up to fishing, don’t hold your breath. The catch ban on Jewfish was necessary, and supported by most in the commercial industry. It was obvious to everyone that the slow growing monster had been over-fished, and was in need of protection. However, let us be clear on how it became over-fished. It was definitely not the hook and line fishermen, as it is almost impossible to over-fish any species with a single hook on a single line.
It also was not the long-liners, the gill netters, or even the notorious fish trappers. The Jewfish population was decimated by a very small group of spear-fishermen. Using power heads and sophisticated dive techniques including deep water nitrox gear, they went after Jewfish with a vengeance. In a couple of short years, the stocks were impacted in a way that could never have happened with traditional fishing methods. Once the stocks were reduced beyond profitability, some of those most responsible for the carnage, became the gurus of preservation, and were immediately adopted by fishery managers as their new poster boys.
Most commercial fishermen do not consider those who spear fish to be legitimate commercial guys. Rightly or wrongly, they view a spear as a recreational toy that allows amateurs to take fish they could never get through acquired fishing skills. As far as being professional fishermen, I have only personally known one man who claimed to make a full time, year round living with a spear, but there are surely a few more out there. Most commercial divers merely supplement their yearly income with a spear, but if the rest of their income is also derived from the ocean, then they are certainly legitimate commercial fishermen.
The overwhelming majority of spear-fishermen that I have come into contact with, are very selective with their shooting and are almost uniformly, environmentally conscious. Most, I think would not even spear a Jewfish, except to take home and eat. As all divers are aware, there is no challenge to the hunt. A Jewfish is as likely to inspect the tip of your spear while you pull the trigger, as he is to swim away. Also, unless you make a perfect kill, you can kiss the spear goodbye, as it will likely be ruined in the battle with the huge fish. Because of their size, they are difficult to handle, and being extremely slimy, they are very hard to clean. Their meat is of unknown value to most people, and disposing of 100 lbs from a single fish is usually a chore.
Commercially, the Jewfish has never been of great value. Outside of the Florida Keys – where it is considered a delicacy – it is in limited demand. There has never been enough production to create a real market, and seeing the meat of an occasional 300 lb fish riddled with parasites, is usually enough to permanently discourage a new buyer. Though commercial boats would sell a Jewfish if they caught it on hook and line, it was never a targeted species. The giant slimy fish, could not be placed in the ice boxes along with the other more valuable species, and had to be filleted at sea and sold on the side.
Many people are now claiming that the Jewfish population has rebounded to such an extent that it should be re-opened to fishing. Fishery managers are typically unsure, and even more typically, want to commission some studies to determine the facts. Meanwhile, out in the real world, everyone who spends any time on the ocean, understands that the Jewfish stock has exploded.
Divers see them everywhere – sometimes 20 or 30 huge fish lined up together inside a wreck. Fishermen have their catch stolen by the voracious predators as they try to pull them to the surface. Lobstermen release thousands of juveniles, weighing up to 15 lbs apiece from their traps. Most have mouths bristling with antennae from the lobster they have devoured. From habitat divers, (Yes! Yes! I know they’re illegal!) we hear of Jewfish wiping out every lobster, crab, and juvenile fish, and then taking up residence.
For those Cubans and Conchs whose mouths are watering at the thought of once again tasting their traditional favorite; don’t get too excited. The proof that we see with our own eyes, is purely ‘anecdotal evidence’, and there is no slot for that in the bureaucracy’s laptop programs. When and if Jewfish is reopened it will be on an extremely limited basis, and well into the future.
Grants must be secured, studies must be commissioned, universities must be notified, environmental groups must weigh in, and all federal and state top level fishery managers must agree to add it to their busy agendas. Then all the data must be crunched, samplings taken, and the science deemed overwhelming, before all federal and state agencies will be willing to sign off on a pilot program.
Closing a fishery is a piece of cake compared to reopening one. Once a sea creature is deemed worthy of a full closure, it falls into an entirely new category. It becomes an emotional figure. We already see air breathing sea creatures like whales, porpoises and turtles in this category. Close behind on the new emotional sensitivity scale, are several fish species like shark, sunfish, and Jewfish. Soon to follow will be swordfish, marlin, tuna, and any other fish that has a long life span and grows to a large size.
It will be very interesting to see which direction this fishery will take. If Jewfish is not reopened, then no closed fishery ever will be. Offhand, I can’t think of a commercial species that has ever been completely closed and then reopened. But with the undeniable stock rebound apparent to everyone, it would not surprise me to see the fishery eventually reopened to a very limited recreational take. The bureaucracy will then expect cheers from a grateful public, while they trumpet the success that can come from closing entire fisheries. However, as far as commercial fishermen are concerned, it would be nothing short of miraculous if we should ever see Jewfish – excuse me, Goliath Grouper – reopened to our industry.
Jewfish – Goliath Grouper
Friday, September 3rd, 2010 Posted in Commentary, Industry
When people involved in the fisheries decided to call Dolphin by its Hawaiian name, Mahi Mahi, most people thought it was a sensible marketing move. Many restaurant goers recoiled when they saw Dolphin on the menu, thinking they were being asked to eat Flipper, the Bottlenose Dolphin. As we all know from the famous television series, Flipper was just like a human – except smarter and more sensitive – and it would be practically cannibalistic, to even think of frying him up.
Changing the name of Jewfish however, is an entirely different story. It is a peek into the extreme nature of political correctness that is taking over the government of our country. Overly sensitive bureaucrats, apparently just uncomfortable with the name, arbitrarily decided to change it to Goliath Grouper. With little consideration for tradition, the will of the people, or common sense, the mighty government flexed its nit-picking muscle, and the deed was done. Someone in the bureaucracy did not like the name, so it simply got changed.
No one that I’ve talked to, can figure out the reason for the change. It is certainly not to improve sales, since it’s not even legal to take a Jewfish. For the lack of any other rational explanation, it would seem apparent that either the word Jew is no longer kosher, or attaching its name to a fish, is offensive to someone. I was never taught that the word Jew is considered a derogatory, but maybe it’s just because my parents weren’t exposed to the bureaucracy’s sensitivity training courses.
Let us assume then, that it’s the word Jew itself, that has offended someone’s sensibilities. Admittedly, I don’t understand why, but then again, I am equally mystified with the new name. Goliath, a Philistine and a Gentile, was the biblical giant slain by a rock from the sling of the young David, a Jew. (Sorry! Should I have said Hebrew, or Israeli?) So what’s going on with the name Goliath? He was a giant like the Jewfish, but is it really that simple? I mean, wouldn’t that be way too insensitive to really big people? And what about that separation of church and state that is so important to judges and the ACLU.
I can’t quite put my finger on it, but there’s something going on here. Is it something about switching races, or is it something so subliminal that I’ll have to pick it up in a dream? Hmmm?……Hey! Wait a minute! I just thought of something! I’m a gentile! Does that have anything to do with this? Is somebody trying to teach us a lesson? What if I’m offended? Or…maybe I’m supposed to be offended. Gees, I’m going to have to think about this one awhile. It’s all so confusing.
Shortly after the name was changed I overheard an amusing, but nevertheless pointed, conversation. A black woman of Bahamian ancestry, was at the fish house, and told of the name change. “Goliath Grouper! Who did that?”
“The government.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know. I guess the Jews didn’t like the name.”
Laughing out loud, she said, “Well Honey! You can tell them for me, that as long as they’re calling it Black Grouper, I’ll be calling it Jewfish!”
But of course, like every other department of our government, fishery managers see political correctness as a serious matter, and find no humor in their lingual contortions. Today we are supposed to call all fishermen by the gender neutral name of fisher, lest we offend the 1% that are female. In 40 years of fish house management, I have known about a dozen women who fished for a living. Not a single lady ever took offense at being called a fisherman, but if she had, I would surely have referred to her as a fisher. By the same token, if it had been the established Jewish community taking offense at the name Jewfish, instead of hypersensitive bureaucrats, I believe everyone would willingly accept the name change.
As far as Jewfish being opened back up to fishing, don’t hold your breath. The catch ban on Jewfish was necessary, and supported by most in the commercial industry. It was obvious to everyone that the slow growing monster had been over-fished, and was in need of protection. However, let us be clear on how it became over-fished. It was definitely not the hook and line fishermen, as it is almost impossible to over-fish any species with a single hook on a single line.
It also was not the long-liners, the gill netters, or even the notorious fish trappers. The Jewfish population was decimated by a very small group of spear-fishermen. Using power heads and sophisticated dive techniques including deep water nitrox gear, they went after Jewfish with a vengeance. In a couple of short years, the stocks were impacted in a way that could never have happened with traditional fishing methods. Once the stocks were reduced beyond profitability, some of those most responsible for the carnage, became the gurus of preservation, and were immediately adopted by fishery managers as their new poster boys.
Most commercial fishermen do not consider those who spear fish to be legitimate commercial guys. Rightly or wrongly, they view a spear as a recreational toy that allows amateurs to take fish they could never get through acquired fishing skills. As far as being professional fishermen, I have only personally known one man who claimed to make a full time, year round living with a spear, but there are surely a few more out there. Most commercial divers merely supplement their yearly income with a spear, but if the rest of their income is also derived from the ocean, then they are certainly legitimate commercial fishermen.
The overwhelming majority of spear-fishermen that I have come into contact with, are very selective with their shooting and are almost uniformly, environmentally conscious. Most, I think would not even spear a Jewfish, except to take home and eat. As all divers are aware, there is no challenge to the hunt. A Jewfish is as likely to inspect the tip of your spear while you pull the trigger, as he is to swim away. Also, unless you make a perfect kill, you can kiss the spear goodbye, as it will likely be ruined in the battle with the huge fish. Because of their size, they are difficult to handle, and being extremely slimy, they are very hard to clean. Their meat is of unknown value to most people, and disposing of 100 lbs from a single fish is usually a chore.
Commercially, the Jewfish has never been of great value. Outside of the Florida Keys – where it is considered a delicacy – it is in limited demand. There has never been enough production to create a real market, and seeing the meat of an occasional 300 lb fish riddled with parasites, is usually enough to permanently discourage a new buyer. Though commercial boats would sell a Jewfish if they caught it on hook and line, it was never a targeted species. The giant slimy fish, could not be placed in the ice boxes along with the other more valuable species, and had to be filleted at sea and sold on the side.
Many people are now claiming that the Jewfish population has rebounded to such an extent that it should be re-opened to fishing. Fishery managers are typically unsure, and even more typically, want to commission some studies to determine the facts. Meanwhile, out in the real world, everyone who spends any time on the ocean, understands that the Jewfish stock has exploded.
Divers see them everywhere – sometimes 20 or 30 huge fish lined up together inside a wreck. Fishermen have their catch stolen by the voracious predators as they try to pull them to the surface. Lobstermen release thousands of juveniles, weighing up to 15 lbs apiece from their traps. Most have mouths bristling with antennae from the lobster they have devoured. From habitat divers, (Yes! Yes! I know they’re illegal!) we hear of Jewfish wiping out every lobster, crab, and juvenile fish, and then taking up residence.
For those Cubans and Conchs whose mouths are watering at the thought of once again tasting their traditional favorite; don’t get too excited. The proof that we see with our own eyes, is purely ‘anecdotal evidence’, and there is no slot for that in the bureaucracy’s laptop programs. When and if Jewfish is reopened it will be on an extremely limited basis, and well into the future.
Grants must be secured, studies must be commissioned, universities must be notified, environmental groups must weigh in, and all federal and state top level fishery managers must agree to add it to their busy agendas. Then all the data must be crunched, samplings taken, and the science deemed overwhelming, before all federal and state agencies will be willing to sign off on a pilot program.
Closing a fishery is a piece of cake compared to reopening one. Once a sea creature is deemed worthy of a full closure, it falls into an entirely new category. It becomes an emotional figure. We already see air breathing sea creatures like whales, porpoises and turtles in this category. Close behind on the new emotional sensitivity scale, are several fish species like shark, sunfish, and Jewfish. Soon to follow will be swordfish, marlin, tuna, and any other fish that has a long life span and grows to a large size.
It will be very interesting to see which direction this fishery will take. If Jewfish is not reopened, then no closed fishery ever will be. Offhand, I can’t think of a commercial species that has ever been completely closed and then reopened. But with the undeniable stock rebound apparent to everyone, it would not surprise me to see the fishery eventually reopened to a very limited recreational take. The bureaucracy will then expect cheers from a grateful public, while they trumpet the success that can come from closing entire fisheries. However, as far as commercial fishermen are concerned, it would be nothing short of miraculous if we should ever see Jewfish – excuse me, Goliath Grouper – reopened to our industry.