Rare blue lobster caught by Exeter student

November 1, 2006

This blue lobster is part of Exeter's biology curriculum this term, thanks to an enterprising senior

Blue lobsters occur once in a blue moon. Right now, Exeter's Phelps Science Center is host to such a blue rarity, caught by an Exeter senior.

After launching a lobster business this summer and catching more than 10,000 red lobsters, PEA student Jared got something he hadn’t expected. During a recent early morning run on board his 25-foot fishing boat, the York, Maine resident opened a lobster trap and found a large blue lobster. He was astounded. Laughing, he showed it to his brothers, who work with him in the lobster business.

“I was really surprised when I found it. They say lobsters like this are one in several million,” he says. “I feel pretty lucky.” The blue crustacean, which occurs as the result of a rare genetic variation, arrived last week in Mr. Aaronian’s science lab. Now it’s being displayed in classes as an example of genetic mutation and marine biology.

“In class, we're researching the possibility of inducing molting (shedding the shell). Lobsters shed their shells once or twice a year and we’re hoping to give this one a hormone in a controlled class experiment that will induce the process.”

Mr. Aaronian and Jared plan to donate the special lobster to the Odiorne Point marine biology education program in Rye, New Hampshire. Jared’s interest in the ocean has him considering  the future. “I’m thinking about oceanography or marine biology. I’m really interested in the sea..”

Interested in learning more?

Read about Exeter's science department offerings…
Get information on Odiorne Point Seacoast Science Center…