How Much Is a White Lobster Worth?

Catching a rare white lobster is an incredible stroke of luck for any fisherman. But just how much are these ultra-rare crustaceans worth? With odds of finding one estimated to be 1 in 100 million, white lobsters command premium prices thanks to their uniqueness, scientific value and status as acollector’s item.

In this article, we’ll look at what makes white lobsters so unusual, what factors impact their value, and some of the record sale prices they have fetched at auction or in restaurants. We’ll also highlight what a fisherman should do upon catching one of these ghostly beauties of the deep.

Why Are White Lobsters So Rare?

Lobsters get their normal reddish-brown coloring from astaxanthin a pigment found in the shellfish they eat. Without this pigment, lobsters appear white or translucent.

True albino lobsters with no pigmentation whatsoever are incredibly rare – about 1 in 100 million by experts’ estimates. These “crystal” lobsters lack the genetic material to produce any color at all.

Slightly more common are hypomelanistic lobsters, which have partial pigmentation but still appear white or yellowish. The odds of finding one of these is around 1 in 10 million.

So white lobsters’ rarity comes down to genetics. A random mutation must remove most or all of the pigment-producing ability and the odds of this mutation occurring are infinitesimally small. That’s why every new discovery of a white lobster makes headlines.

Factors That Determine a White Lobster’s Worth

Some key factors impact how much a white lobster will fetch on the open market:

• Degree of coloration – A true albino will be more valuable than a lobster that is mostly white but shows some residual pigment Completely translucent and ghostly white is most desirable

• Size – Larger specimens tend to have higher value, since collectors want impressive centerpiece creatures. A 2-3 lb white lobster will be worth more than a 1 lb juvenile.

• Health – Lobsters that are active and free of injury or disease will command top dollar. Avoid damaged claws, missing legs, or lethargy.

• Market timing – Prices may fluctuate depending on season, economic conditions, and recent supply. If multiple white lobsters were found recently, value decreases with greater availability.

• Buyer motivation – Some purchasers are collectors willing to pay high premiums. Others like restaurants want a white lobster for publicity but won’t spend exorbitantly. Know your audience.

In general, truly one-of-a-kind specimen white lobsters in prime condition will bring the highest sale prices. But there’s no established per-pound market rate, so value relies heavily on buyer interest.

Record Sale Prices for White Lobsters

Some recent examples can give a sense of the potential value of white lobsters:

• In 2016, a 2 lb white lobster named “Snowy” sold at auction for $6,000.

• In 2019, a Japanese restaurant purchased a 4.5 lb white lobster for $46,000.

• In 2021, a fisherman in Maine sold a 3 lb white lobster to Ripley’s Believe It or Not aquarium for $20,000.

• In 2022, two white lobsters were caught off the coast of Massachusetts – one sold for $25,000 to a local restaurant, while the other’s sale price wasn’t disclosed.

As these examples illustrate, a healthy, good-sized white lobster can realistically command anywhere from $10,000 to $50,000 on today’s market depending on the buyer. Even more is possible for absolute peak specimens. While not exactly Powerball money, catching a white lobster can certainly buoy a fisherman’s income if sold wisely.

What to Do If You Catch a White Lobster

Catching a white lobster is such a monumentally lucky event that it warrants special care and consideration:

• Confirm it’s white – Occasionally, normal lobsters appear whitish when first caught due to stress. Make sure the coloration persists once the lobster has calmed down.

• Keep it safe – Get the lobster into a ventilated tank or container with cool, circulating saltwater. Prevent direct sun exposure and physical damage.

• Research buyers – Contact aquariums, wholesalers, collectors, and restaurants discreetly to assess potential interest. Learn what factors drive their valuation.

• Consider breeding – A mature female white lobster could produce other valuable white lobsters if bred. Connect with researchers and conservationists to explore this option.

• Weigh publicity vs. profit – Getting media attention can stir buyer interest but too much hype can attract lowball offers. Gauge the market judiciously.

• Be patient – Maximize competitive bidding by avoiding the first decent offer. But don’t wait too long or the lobster’s health may decline.

Catching multiple white lobsters dilutes their uniqueness, so donate extras to aquariums for research and public education. With proper care in transport and handling, even juveniles have scientific value.

Famous White Lobster Cases

White lobsters create a media frenzy whenever they turn up. Here are some of the most famous cases:

• In 2006, a fisherman off Cyprus caught a white lobster believed to be a 1-in-30 million anomaly. Scientists performed genetic testing to confirm its rarity.

• In 2009, a fishery in Whitstable, England netted a speckled white lobster they dubbed “Leviathan.” Its cream color with dark spots suggests partial leucism.

• In 2014, Amsterdam’s Sea Palace restaurant bought a white lobster weighing over 4 lbs for 5,000 euros.

• In 2017, two rare white lobsters were caught off Maine and Nova Scotia within a few days of each other, astounding experts.

• In 2022, a fisherman in Maryland caught a 1 in 30 million yellow and white calico lobster with colorful spotted markings.

The fact that we continue to see several cases per decade of improbably rare white lobsters suggests they may not be quite as impossibly scarce as the statistics indicate. Still, finding one in your trap is a once-in-a-lifetime event for any lobster catcher.

The Ethics of Selling Rare White Lobsters

While market prices for white lobsters run high, some criticize the practice of selling these scientific oddities for food given their value to research. Others counter that commodity fishermen have a right to profit from their luck and invest the money back into their livelihoods. There are good ethics arguments on both sides.

In the end, the fisherman’s conscience is the best guide. If catching an incredibly rare gem of the ocean, consider donating it to an aquarium where it can serve as an ambassador. But no judgment if you choose to rightfully benefit from your one-in-a-million find. The value of a white whale lobster is yours to decide.