Why was it called the jewfish?

The origin of the fish's name isn't clear. The most innocent view traces to a book authored by an English adventurer in 1697; he wrote that the jewfish was a kosher creature favored by Jews in Jamaica. But the more likely theory is that the name traces back even further to medieval anti-Semitism in Europe.

Is the term jewfish offensive?

"There is clearly an overwhelming amount of evidence that (jewfish) is anti-Semitic in origin. It is offensive to many people," said Dr. Gary Grossman, professor of fish ecology at the University of Georgia, "The response (to a name-change petition) was very strong.

When did they change the name of jewfish?

It announced in 2001 that the name was deemed “culturally insensitive” and was changed to goliath grouper – not for the biblical Philistine Goliath who was slain by David, but because of the fish's ability to grow up to 700 pounds.

What is the meaning of jewfish?

Definition of jewfish

1 : any of various large groupers that are usually dusky green, brown, or blackish, thickheaded, and rough-scaled especially : goliath grouper. 2 : mulloway.

Ned Prank Calls the American Fishery Society About the Jewfish!

How much do goliath groupers weigh?

The goliath grouper is the largest grouper in the western Atlantic. Growing to lengths of 8.2 feet (2.5 m), this grouper can weigh as much as 800 pounds (363 kg). In Florida, the largest hook and line captured specimen weighed 680 pounds (309 kg). The oldest verifiable goliath grouper on record is 37 years.

What's the difference between a goliath grouper and a jewfish?

The Atlantic goliath grouper or itajara (Epinephelus itajara), formerly known as the jewfish, is a saltwater fish of the grouper family and one of the largest species of bony fish.

Can you eat a jewfish?

Jewfish prefer shallow water, so encounters with divers and fishermen are common. Catching a jewfish, though, is not as simple as meeting one. Even a small jewfish (60 pounds) is capable of breaking all but the heaviest tackle. But once caught, skinned and marinated, it makes for wonderful eating.

Where did grouper get its name?

Etymology. The word "grouper" is from the Portuguese name, garoupa, which has been speculated to come from an indigenous South American language. In Australia, "groper" is used instead of "grouper" for several species, such as the Queensland grouper (Epinephelus lanceolatus).

What is the biggest goliath grouper ever caught?

According to American Oceans, the world record Goliath grouper is a 680-pound monster caught in 1961. The fish was caught by an angler who fought the fish for over an hour. Not only was this fish approaching 700 pounds, it was seven feet in overall length.

What's the legal size for jewfish?

The possession limit of 10 Mulloway, between 45 and 70cm that currently applies to estuary meshing net fishers has also been removed. This will mean that a 70cm minimum size limit for Mulloway, also commonly know as jewfish, will apply to all fishers.

What is the range of the goliath grouper?

The goliath grouper is found primarily in shallow tropical waters among coral and artificial reefs. Its range includes the Gulf of Mexico and Florida Keys in the United States, the Bahamas, most of the Caribbean, and most of the Brazilian coast.

Could a goliath grouper eat a human?

In fact, many people familiar with them call the fish “gentle giants.” It's still smart to stay away from fully grown goliath groupers. They could eat a person if they wanted to! However, in general, it's the fish that are threatened by humans, not the other way around.

What is the biggest jewfish ever caught?

The hoisting apparatus was set in motion and the big fish landed on the deck. He was weighed, and tipped the scale* at exactly 600 pounds. Without question this is the largest Jewfish ever caught on the Pacific coast.

What type of fish is a jewfish?

Mulloway is a large predatory fish widely distributed throughout inshore coastal marine and estuarine sandy and reef environments; and is targeted by commercial and recreational fisheries around subtropical and southern Australia.

What do jewfish taste like?

It has a mild, delicate flavour, though in certain areas it develops a pleasant salty, almost iodine, taste. Use mulloway thinly sliced as sashimi or in small dice as a "crudo" dressed with good olive oil and finely sliced fennel. Bake the whole fish, skin scored and rubbed with garlic and chopped herbs.

What is the best way to cook jewfish?

Rub the fish with olive oil and season with salt and pepper really well inside and out. Line a large baking tray with baking paper and drizzle with olive oil. Lay the fish on the paper and drizzle with more olive oil. Place in oven for approx 25 minutes or until fish is just cooked.

What is the difference between mulloway and jewfish?

Although these species may look similar, the tail is the key to identification. The rear edge of a mulloway tail is straight while the black jewfish tail flares out at the centre, giving the tail a diamond shape.

What is the biggest fish ever caught?

What Was the Largest Fish Ever Caught? According to IGFA records, the largest fish ever caught was a great white shark that weighed an unbelievable 2,664 pounds (1,208.389 kg.). Caught off the coast of Ceduna, Australia, in 1959, it took angler Alfred Dean just 50 minutes to win the fight against this one-ton shark.

What fish eats sharks?

There's a reason goliath groupers are called the garbage disposals of the sea — they eat everything in sight, including sharks apparently. A group of fishermen were able to witness a 500-pound grouper's "rare" meal during a fishing trip off the coast of Everglades City, Fla., last week.

How old do jewfish live?

Jewfish can grow to 8 feet and 700 pounds. They have been known to live up to 50 years. However, their curious nature makes them extremely easy targets for spearfishermen. Now, most jewfish catches are in the 20-pound range.

Do grouper eat sharks?

Groupers also eat other species including parrotfishes and stingrays, young sea turtles and octopuses. Large groupers may feast on barracudas and sharks.

What eats a goliath grouper?

Before the goliath grouper reaches full-size it is preyed upon by barracuda, king mackerel and moray eels, as well as sandbar and hammerhead sharks. Once fully grown, humans and large sharks are the goliath grouper's only predators.

What is the biggest grouper in the world?

The heaviest grouper ever caught and certified as an IGFA world record was this 680-pound goliath grouper caught on May 20, 1961, off Fernandina Beach, Florida, using a Spanish mackerel as fishing bait. This particular species of grouper is considered endangered today and protected in the United States and Caribbean.