"Rocky", the snakehead fish
CLAY -- Rocky the fish is all over the internet – or at least discussion about him is. His owner, Chris Deverso says "Alaska, Florida, you know I've got some friends but I don't have friends all over the world like that.”
Rocky, who is a snakehead fish, has been a Deverso family pet for more than ten years. Recently the state Department of Environmental Conservation informed Chris that they consider him to be a dangerous invasive species. Chris says Rocky is not one of the invasive snakehead species and was completely legal when he bought him back in 1998.
Now Chris says Rocky’s case is sparking worldwide debate. “Because of the supporters and being nationwide - it's not just here, it's not just New York State, it's not just this country it's worldwide and it's about people's rights."
There are online petitions, blogs and even a “Save Rocky” Facebook group. "One person wrote common 'sense, why can't common sense and government get along',” says Deverso
No matter how things turn out, Deverso says the story has helped others learn about the issues involved. "I've gotten letters and supporters out there from high schools, elementary schools, teachers telling me how much they're learning about invasive species."
