A lobstering crew caught a very rare bright orange American lobster in Maine’s Casco Bay earlier this month. It now lives at the marine science center at the University of New England.
Markus Frederich, a professor of marine science at the university, says the odds of catching an orange lobster are one in thirty million. He came up with this number by looking at how many lobsters are caught each year and hearing stories about orange lobsters.
The crab was the first thing the crew of the Deborah caught on June 2. Girard Marine Science Center, told CNN.
The bright orange lobster came up alone in the trap of crew member Mandy Cyr, Forrette said.
“I knew right away I was going to contact UNE,” Cyr told CNN. The last lobster we caught this winter was a calico named “Sprinkles.” It was one of only 30 million that were ever caught. ”.
Cyr, a lobsterwoman who has worked on Turner’s boat off and on for five years, says Turner has been lobstering since he was a child and has only ever seen two orange lobsters.
After the lobster spent a brief overnight at Turner’s Lobsters in Scarborough, Maine, Cyr contacted Forrette. Tilburg, director of the marine science center, said that she is well-known in the fishing community and is often asked about interesting catches.
An orange lobster is an extremely rare find that only occurs once in every 30 million lobsters, according to experts Their vibrant orange shell coloration is caused by genetic mutations and can make them a hot commodity But exactly how much is an orange lobster worth if you stumble upon one? The price can reach into the thousands based on their rarity.
Why Orange Lobsters are Rare
Lobsters are typically dark bluish green to brown in color when alive. Their signature bright red hue only occurs after cooking due to reactions between proteins in the shell The common American lobster or Maine lobster has a pale blueshell right after molting.
Genetic abnormalities cause orange, yellow, blue, calico, and even split coloring in an extremely small subset of lobsters. These unique genetic differences cause them to produce different pigments or lack certain pigments altogether.
According to the University of Maine’s Lobster Institute the odds of finding an orange lobster are estimated to be 1 in 30 million. This makes them ultra-rare compared to 1 in 10 million for blue lobsters and 1 in 100 million for albino lobsters.
Estimated Value of an Orange Lobster
Due to their extreme rarity, an orange lobster can be worth between $500 to $10,000 if sold. Many times these special lobsters are donated to aquariums for education and publicity. But occasionally seafood companies or private collectors will pay big money to own a rare gem.
Some specific sales and estimated values of orange lobsters over the years have included:
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In 2006, a 6 pound orange lobster was caught off Prince Edward Island in Canada and sold for $7,500 to a seafood distributor.
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In 2016, a Massachusetts seafood market paid $1,200 for a 3 pound orange lobster found in a shipment.
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In 2019, a Florida Red Lobster restaurant found a small orange lobster they named Cheddar and donated him to Ripley’s Aquarium. His estimated worth was $5,000.
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In 2020, Maine seafood company GetMaineLobster partnered with crypto.com to auction an orange lobster they named “Crypto” for over $10,000.
So conservatively, orange lobsters tend to sell for a minimum of several hundred dollars up to several thousand. Larger specimens over 5 pounds could fetch offers over $10,000. But most are donated for conservation efforts and publicity.
Who Determines the Price?
There is no set market price for orange lobsters. They are so incredibly rare that how much they sell for depends on many factors:
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Weight – Heavier lobsters over 3 pounds command higher prices.
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Condition – Lively, healthy lobsters in good shape with all limbs intact are most desirable.
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Supply & Demand – There may only be a couple available for sale annually.
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Buyer – Seafood companies, collectors, aquariums all have different budgets.
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Location – U.S., Canada, and Europe have an appreciation for oddities.
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Media Attention – Publicity and news coverage can increase value.
Essentially it comes down to how much someone is willing to pay for the novelty of owning a 1 in 30 million lobster. For private collectors or companies, it’s both an investment and marketing opportunity.
Estimated Profit Margin on an Orange Lobster
While an orange lobster can sell for thousands, the profit margin for commercial lobstermen or seafood companies is much smaller. Here’s a breakdown of estimated costs and profit:
Sale Price: $5,000
Paid to Lobster Fisherman: $50-$100
Processing & Handling: $200
Shipping: $300
Total Costs: $550-$600
Estimated Profit Margin: $4,400-$4,450
Lobstermen are paid the standard market rate per pound, usually $4-$5. The bulk of the profit goes to the seafood company or dealer who invests in the specialized shipping and handles the rare sale. For them, the return on investment can be worthwhile given the small supply and marketing potential.
What Happens to Orange Lobsters?
Since orange lobsters are genetic abnormalities, most are not suitable for large-scale seafood consumption. Instead, the most common destinations are:
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Donated to Aquariums – Public aquariums like Ripley’s are often happy to accept rare donations for exhibit and education.
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Purchased by Collectors – Wealthy lobster collectors may buy as a prized possession.
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Seafood Marketing – Companies may buy and promote to demonstrate product quality.
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Scientific Research – Genetic causes of color abnormalities can be studied.
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Released Back – Many lobstermen choose to release rare finds back into the ocean.
While their unique look makes them valuable, orange lobsters play an important role in promoting conservation. Their stories bring awareness and fascination with the incredible biodiversity found in the ocean.
Notable Orange Lobster Finds
Some well-known orange lobster discoveries over the years include:
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In 2006, a 6 lb orange lobster was found in Canada and sold for $7,500.
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In 2016, a Massachusetts seafood market bought a 3 lb orange lobster for $1,200.
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In 2019, a Florida Red Lobster restaurant donated a small orange lobster they named Cheddar to Ripley’s Aquarium.
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In 2020, GetMaineLobster sold an orange lobster at auction for over $10,000.
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In 2022, a Maine lobsterman caught a 3 lb orange lobster and donated her to the University of New England.
Lobstermen have a fraction of a fraction of a percent chance to ever trap an orange rarity. Most choose conservation efforts to preserve the unusual finds.
Do Orange Lobsters Taste Different When Cooked?
While extremely rare, orange lobsters are still normal American lobsters biologically. If cooked, they will turn reddish-orange and taste similar to any other lobster.
However, most orange lobster discoveries are preserved live due to their rarity. Consuming them would diminish the conservation value.
Some lobster fans theorize the different shell pigments may slightly influence flavor. But the main appeal of orange lobsters is the cool factor of their exterior color rather than taste differences.
Orange Lobster Genetics
So what genetic defect causes orange lobsters? Two genetic issues can be responsible:
Excess Red Protein – An overproduction of the red astaxanthin protein normally found in the shell.
Lack of Blue Protein – Mutations prevent development of blueish pigments.
Both mutations are very rare. When they occur together, it creates the bright orange effect in parts or all of the shell.
University of Maine lobster biologist Robert Bayer said the genetic glitch affects the lobster from birth and persists throughout its life with each new molt.
While incredibly unique, the genetic difference does not appear to affect the lobster’s health or longevity. They can live full lives if conservation measures are taken.
Finding an orange lobster is like winning the lottery for lobstermen. While they may only receive their standard payment, seafood companies can profit thousands due to the novelty and rarity. Most orange lobsters end up donated to aquariums for educational opportunities. The unique shells also provide scientists insight into genetics and pigmentation. While not suitable for mass seafood sales, these 1 in 30 million lobsters create excitement and bring awareness to biodiversity.
The lobster is 5 to 7 years old
The lobster’s coloration is from a genetic mutation which affects and prevents encoded proteins, Frederich said. Lack of one or more proteins can show up as different colors, like orange in this case, blue, or yellow.
“Mutations in these genes are very rare,” Frederich said. “In addition to genetics, environment [and] diet also seems to play a role. ”.
Orange American lobsters can be found from southern New England up through Nova Scotia in Canada, Frederich said.
This particular orange lobster is anywhere between 5 and 7 years old, Forrette said, weighing in at 1. 03 pounds and is 10. 8-inches long, perhaps a little on the lighter side because it’s missing a claw.
Frederich said that no one knows how the claw was lost because lobsters lose claws all the time when they fight, are attacked by a predator, or molt.
Professor Charles Tilburg, a professor of marine sciences who directs the university’s Marine Science Center, said the claw should eventually grow back though it’s uncertain whether it will match her orange carapace.
“This is the million-dollar question,” Tilburg said. “If the coloring is solely due to genetics, it should grow back orange. However, if some of the color came from the lobster’s environment or food, it might grow back a different color in its new home.
“Our yellow lobster’s claws have grown back with a bluish tint to them,” he said.
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An extremely rare, bright orange American lobster caught earlier this month in Maine’s Casco Bay by a lobstering crew has found a home at the University of New England’s marine science center.
The chances of catching an orange lobster are one-in-30 million, according to Markus Frederich, professor of marine science at the university, who said he bases the estimate on the total annual lobster landings and anecdotal reports of orange lobsters.
The lobster was the first catch of the day on June 2 for the crew of the Deborah & Megan, a fishing vessel captained by Gregg Turner, Lindsay Forrette, the lab coordinator for the university’s Arthur P. Girard Marine Science Center, told CNN.
The bright orange lobster came up alone in the trap of crew member Mandy Cyr, Forrette said.
“I knew right away I was going to contact UNE,” Cyr told CNN. “They took our last lobster ‘Sprinkles,’ a calico lobster, another one-in-30 million lobster that we caught this past winter.”
Turner has been lobstering since he was a young boy and has only seen two orange lobsters in his life, according to Cyr, a lobsterwoman who has worked intermittently aboard Turner’s vessel for five years.
After the lobster spent a brief overnight at Turner’s Lobsters in Scarborough, Maine, Cyr contacted Forrette. She is known throughout the fishing communities and is often contacted about interesting catches, said Tilburg, director of the marine science center.
Forrette agreed to take the rare crustacean.
Nike SB Dunk Low Orange Lobster FIRST LOOK
Are orange Lobsters still rare?
First: there’s been a shift in the reported rarities of orange lobsters, and their rarity was downgraded. While many are still citing them as a one in 30 million lobster, Murphy said he looked into it further and the oranges are now being categorized by some as a one in 10 million lobster, not one in 30.
Are orange lobsters one in 30 million?
And I kept seeing the same numbers: orange lobsters are one in 30 million. But it sure seems pretty weird that a one in 30 million thing would happen twice in one week, right? The Takeout has called the rarity of these lobsters into question before, but these dueling orange lobsters made my curiosity hit a boiling point.
What are the odds of catching an orange lobster?
The odds of catching an orange lobster are about one in 30 million, compared to the one-in-two million odds of catching a blue lobster, according to the University of New England. Capt. Gregg Turner, who has been fishing since he was 5 years old, said he has only seen one other orange lobster in over 50 years of fishing.
What is a bright orange lobster?
An incredibly rare bright orange lobster has been saved from being cooked at a restaurant in Florida. The lobster—now named Cheddar—was found by a culinary team at a Red Lobster restaurant in Florida. Live lobsters are usually dark in color, with hints of brown and red. However, Cheddar is a bright orange color.