A woman in Florida has stumbled upon a rare and extremely valuable material often called “floating gold,” while walking on a beach. Ambergris, a substance which comes from sperm whales, is highly prized in the perfume industry for making fragrances last longer.
Kristen Marvin, said she was searching the shoreline for turtles and hatchlings that had been washed ashore by a recent storm when she noticed an unusual object.
“I had a pretty good suspicion,” Marvin said. “And I picked it up and had a look at it, and I thought, ‘I’m pretty sure this is ambergris.’”
Formation of ambergris, the ‘floating gold’ produced by whales
Ambergris is a rare, waxy substance produced in the digestive system of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus). Its formation is believed to be a protective mechanism against the indigestible, sharp beaks of squid and cuttlefish, which are primary components of the sperm whale’s diet.
When these hard beaks irritate the whale’s intestines, the bile duct secretes a substance that encases them, gradually forming ambergris. Over time, this mass is expelled from the whale’s body, typically through defecation.
Although it resembles a rock, Marvin explained that it feels lighter and has a waxy texture.
To confirm her discovery, Marvin took the sample home for further examination. If verified, the find could be worth a significant amount of money.
Reporting the discovery to the NOAA
Marvin described testing the unusual find to confirm it was ambergris. She explained that it floated in water, and when she inserted a heated needle into it, white smoke appeared—both signs of the rare substance.
Marvin then reported her discovery to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). She noted that in the United States, trading ambergris is illegal because sperm whales are a protected species. However, in some other countries, the trade is allowed.
“They call it floating gold or liquid gold,” Marvin said. “From what I can tell, this piece could be worth up to $10-12,000 if you could sell it.”
Marvin is now waiting for NOAA’s response. “I don’t know what they’ll do with it,” she said.
Trade in ambergris banned in USA, Australia and India
Ambergris trade is banned in certain countries to protect these endangered animals. Sperm whales have been extensively hunted, leading to significant population declines. Some countries prohibit the trade of all whale-derived products, including ambergris to protect them.
The United States bans the possession and trade of ambergris under the Endangered Species Act of 1973.
Moreover, Australia also bans the commercial export and import of ambergris under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
As for India, selling or possessing ambergris is illegal under the Wild Life (Protection) Act of 1972.
United Kingdom, France, Switzerland, and the Maldives allow ambergris trade, considering it a naturally excreted waste product.
Internationally, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) does not regulate ambergris, as it’s classified as a waste product.
See all the latest news from Greece and the world at Greekreporter.com. Contact our newsroom to report an update or send your story, photos and videos. Follow GR on Google News and subscribe here to our daily email!
