Rare Blue Lobster Caught, A 1 In 2 Million Chance

It’s not every day you get a glimpse of a rare blue lobster, considering it’s a one in two million chance of catching one in North American waters, according to msnNOW.

Sheldon Trenholm of South River, Nova Scotia Canada got a pleasant surprise when he caught the rare lobster.

Sources say, when Mr. Trenholm first lifted the lobster trap into the boat with eight or so lobsters inside, it took a moment before he saw the misplaced colors of bright blue.

“At first I couldn’t figure out what was in there, it was like a blue flashlight flashing on and off,” he said.

According to the University of Maine’s Lobster Institute:

“The coloration comes from a genetic defect that causes the lobster to produce an excessive amount of a particular protein that gives the lobster that unique coloration.”

They continue on to say:

“They’re (blue lobsters) still lobsters, but they stand out because they’re different. And because that difference is rare and startling, among those who understand and appreciate the difference, they’re more valued!”

The lobsters that are normally found in North American waters are usually a dark bluish green to greenish brown, so when Trenholm pulled up his trap and found the blue rarity; it would no doubt be a bit of a shock.

According to msnNOW, the blue beauty wasn’t big enough to merit keeping, so, after Trenholm took a few moments to appreciate his find, show it off to the other boaters, and of course snap a few photographs, he went ahead and released it back into the ocean.

Now we’ve all heard the expression, “once in a blue moon,” but with the chances being as little as they are, finding this rare blue beauty sure does bring a new perspective to the saying! What do you think of this rare blue lobster?

[Image via National Post/Sheldon Trenholm]