Picture this: you’re hauling in your morning catch, expecting the usual pile of brown-green lobsters clicking their claws in protest. Your hands work automatically after years of the same routine—trap after trap, sorting the keepers from the throwbacks. Then something catches your eye that makes you freeze mid-motion.
A flash of electric blue cuts through the ordinary chaos of your lobster crate. Your first thought? Someone’s playing a prank. Maybe a kid tossed a painted toy in with the real thing. But as you reach down and lift this creature into the sunlight, reality hits you like a cold Atlantic wave.
You’re holding one of nature’s rarest treasures—a blue lobster so uncommon that marine scientists compare finding one to winning a massive lottery jackpot. This exact scenario played out for Massachusetts fisherman Brad Myslinski, turning what should have been just another day at sea into the catch of several lifetimes.
The Day Everything Changed for a Salem Fisherman
Brad Myslinski was working his usual route aboard the Sophia & Emma in July 2025, about 20 miles off Salem, Massachusetts. The morning started like any other—checking traps, sorting catches, and fighting the endless battle between man and sea that defines New England’s lobster industry.
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But when Myslinski peered into one particular crate, something stopped him cold. Nestled between the typical brown and green lobsters was a creature that seemed to glow with an otherworldly blue light.
“At first, I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me,” Myslinski later recalled. “You see thousands of lobsters in this business, but nothing prepares you for that moment when you spot something that shouldn’t exist.”
The blue lobster catch immediately caught the attention of marine biologists. This wasn’t just any rare color variation—this was what experts call a “one in 200 million” event. The lobster’s shell displayed an intense, almost neon blue that covered its entire body, creating an appearance so striking it seemed artificial.
Marine specialists estimate that only one American lobster in about two million naturally develops this blue coloration, but the chances of a commercial fisherman actually catching one drops to an astronomical one in 200 million.
What Makes These Blue Beauties So Special
The science behind blue lobster catches involves a fascinating genetic quirk that affects how these creatures produce and process proteins. Here’s what researchers have discovered about these ocean rarities:
- Genetic mutation: Blue coloration results from an overproduction of a specific protein that binds with a shell pigment
- Complete coverage: Unlike partial color variations, truly blue lobsters display the color across their entire shell
- Behavioral normalcy: Despite their unusual appearance, blue lobsters behave identically to their common relatives
- Survival rates: The bright coloration may actually make them more vulnerable to predators in the wild
- Geographic distribution: Blue lobster catches have been recorded from Maine to North Carolina, with no clear pattern
| Lobster Color Variant | Odds of Occurrence | Typical Locations Found |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Brown/Green | Normal | All Atlantic waters |
| Blue | 1 in 2 million | New England primarily |
| Yellow | 1 in 30 million | Scattered Atlantic coast |
| Red (alive) | 1 in 10 million | Rare, various locations |
| Split-colored | 1 in 50 million | Random occurrences |
Dr. Sarah Chen, a marine biologist at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, explains the rarity: “These lobsters aren’t just uncommon—they’re basically genetic lightning in a bottle. The protein mutation has to be just right, the lobster has to survive to catchable size, and then a fisherman has to happen upon that exact trap at that exact time.”
From Ocean Floor to Science Stardom
Recognizing he had something extraordinary, Myslinski made a decision that many commercial fishermen might not have made. Instead of selling his rare catch to the highest bidder, he contacted local educators to find the best home for this natural wonder.
The lobster, now named “Neptune” by local high school students, found a permanent home at Northeastern University’s Marine Science Center in Nahant. The facility specializes in marine education and research, making it an ideal environment for both protecting the rare lobster and educating the public.
“Neptune has become something of a celebrity here,” says center director Dr. Michael Torres. “Visitors often spend more time watching this one blue lobster than they do with our entire shark exhibit. There’s something magical about seeing a creature that shouldn’t exist.”
The blue lobster now lives in a specially designed rocky touch tank, sharing space with local species like tautog fish, sculpins, crabs, and green sea urchins. Staff report that despite its extraordinary appearance, Neptune behaves exactly like any other American lobster—hiding under rocks during the day and emerging to hunt for mussels during feeding time.
Why This Discovery Matters Beyond the Spectacle
While blue lobster catches generate excitement and media attention, they serve important scientific and educational purposes that extend far beyond their novelty value.
Marine researchers use these rare specimens to study genetic variations in crustacean populations. Understanding how and why these color mutations occur helps scientists track environmental changes, population health, and genetic diversity in wild lobster stocks.
For New England’s fishing communities, discoveries like Neptune represent something deeper than just unusual catches. They remind us that our oceans still hold mysteries and that sustainable fishing practices help preserve these natural rarities for future generations.
“Every time we find one of these blue lobsters, it’s like the ocean is showing us there’s still so much we don’t understand,” notes Dr. Chen. “It keeps us humble and curious about what else might be out there.”
The economic impact shouldn’t be overlooked either. Blue lobster catches often find homes in aquariums and research facilities, where they serve as educational ambassadors for marine conservation. Neptune alone has drawn hundreds of additional visitors to the Marine Science Center, generating both revenue and awareness for ocean protection efforts.
Local fishing communities also benefit from the positive attention these discoveries bring. Instead of the usual stories about declining fish stocks or regulatory challenges, rare catches like this one showcase the wonder and mystery that still exists in commercial fishing.
FAQs
How much is a blue lobster worth?
Live blue lobsters are typically worth $500-$1,000 to aquariums or research facilities, far more than the $15-20 a regular lobster might fetch at market.
Can you eat a blue lobster?
Yes, blue lobsters are completely safe to eat and taste identical to regular lobsters. However, most people choose to preserve them due to their extreme rarity.
Do blue lobsters stay blue when cooked?
No, blue lobsters turn the same bright red color as regular lobsters when cooked, as the heat breaks down the proteins responsible for the blue coloration.
Are there other rare lobster colors?
Yes, yellow lobsters occur about once in 30 million, while split-colored lobsters (half one color, half another) happen roughly once in 50 million catches.
Where are blue lobsters most commonly found?
Blue lobster catches are most frequently reported in New England waters, particularly off the coasts of Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts.
How long do blue lobsters live in captivity?
With proper care, blue lobsters can live 15-20 years in captivity, similar to their regular-colored relatives, making them long-term educational ambassadors.