Colourful crustacean is one in two million

The big blue ... this crazy coloured critter got snagged in a net

Last Updated: 15th June 2012

A FISHERMAN has has spoken of his shock at finding a BLUE lobster at the bottom of his net.

 

Bobby Stoddard of Clarks Harbour, Nova Scotia, Canada plucked the creature out of the Atlantic Ocean.

The 51-year-old said: "I turned around and said, 'Holy smoke!' – looks like we caught a pretty one."

His fishy find is a ONE in TWO MILLION discovery, according to marine experts at the University of Maine Lobster Institute, who explain: "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."

Shellfish? ... Stoddard decided to keep the lobster for himself

It was quite an unearthing for Stoddard, who has been catching up to 3,000 lobsters every day for the past 33 years.

He said: "This is the only one that I've ever seen, and my dad has been a lobsterman of about 55 years, and he caught one about 45 years ago, but hadn't seen one since."

Bobby had put the colourful crustacean up for auction online, but changed his mind last minute.

The lobster is currently living in a tank at Stoddard's workplace.

"I don't know what the best thing is to do. It probably belongs back in the ocean, but I'd like for as many people as possible to see it first."