Joseph Nelson, a professor at the University of Alberta and chair of the Committee on Names for Fishes, claims to have received numerous petitions to have the name changed.
Interestingly, several Rabbis and Jewish leaders in South Florida were approached by media representatives regarding the name. All of them expressed little to no concern. Most indicated that people need to be looking at more important issues - like peace in the middle east.
But I guess there are some people who want political correctness in every aspect of life. They make a big issue out of a non-issue. What will follow will be numerous court battles to have official names like Jewfish Point in Los Angeles and Jewfish Creek in the Florida Keys changed. Your tax dollars will be wasted to make a few people happy when the vast majority of those who would or could be offended by a 300 year old fish name perceived to somehow be anti-Semitic are perfectly happy leaving it as it is.
As for me, I plan to leave it alone. A jewfish - one of my all time favorite fish - will always be a jewfish in my world.
One Rabbi thought the new name to be quite humorous. Goliath was a Philistine giant, an enemy of the Jews, who was slain by David the shepherd boy. He wonders if the Philistines will come back and protest the new name!
Silly scientists - find something important to do!
