Gross Profit…Literally: English Boy Finds Whale Vomit Worth $60K
- Posted on August 29, 2012 at 6:15pm by
Erica Ritz
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(Photo via YouTube)
Charlie Naysmith was walking with his parents along the coast of southern England when he stumbled upon what he believed to be an interesting-looking rock.
At just eight years old, what else was he to do but pick it up and start asking questions?
According to CBS, the boy’s father did some quick research on the internet and discovered the object was no mere rock– it was hardened whale vomit, and it’s worth a fortune.
Geobeats has more:
CBS explains:
Ambergris, formed in the intestinal tract of sperm whales and often vomited or secreted into the ocean, is a waxy substance that can be used in perfumes to prolong their scent. The sizable chunk – weighing 600 grams – discovered by the Naysmith family could be worth as much as $60,000 to the right buyer.
The value of the product is partially due to its rarity. Apparently it can float in the ocean for decades, rarely washing ashore. In 2006, however, a lucky Australian couple cashed in for nearly $300,000 after finding a 14-pound lump of the substance.
Ambergris originally has a foul smell, according to the Daily Echo, but after years of exposure to salt water and sun, has a waxy texture and a sweet smell.
(Photo: Getty Images)
So what will young Charlie do with his windfall profits?
The Daily Echo, which broke the story, writes:
[He] quite fancies using the profits to build a house for animals.
His dad, Alex, said: “He is into nature and is really interested in it. We have discovered it is quite rare and are waiting for some more information from marine biology experts.”
After commending the boy on his discovery, one commenter wrote: “Looks like a bit of French [bread] I had for lunch…If I’d seen that on the beach I would have walked straight past it!
(H/T: Daily Mail)
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Minarchian
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 12:56pmDue to the “Endangered Species Act” it would be a felony to sell it.
The only thing they can do with it is display it somewhere or donate it someone/science center.
It’s totally BS, but that is the law.
Report Post »Mr. H.
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 12:26pmI hope the Feds don’t confiscate it as part of an endangered species!
Report Post »Eastinfection
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 9:36amLooks like Rosie “Odenial” has some new revenue generating opportunities.
Report Post »texastommy
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 9:14amI’m going to go to Sea World with a boom box, wait an hour after they feed the whales, then play some of Obama’s speeches as loud as I can.
I’ll be rich.
Report Post »JACKTHETOAD
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 9:10amArrr. There’s one of them there political statements for ye, ye landlubbers. Give the lad his booty, and I‘ll give ye back Ahab’s bones. Scrimshaw anybody? How ’bout some piano keys, maybe? …scurvy dogs, the lot of ye…
Report Post »blackyb
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 4:15amTell Obama he found that.
Report Post »Eastinfection
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 9:39amObama would just say, “share the barf”
Report Post »Chuck Stein
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 1:42amInteresting that the article uses the term “windfall profits” — the term comes from wood (or fruit/nuts) blown down by a strong wind and just there for the taking. In Iceland, they have a more appropriate term (in this case) — a “whale stranding.”
Report Post »The-Monk
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 12:58amLooks just like the last Steak and Cheese sub I got from Bruno’s…..
And I do mean “the last” one. Yuk…..
Report Post »LeadNotFollow
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 12:38am…
Report Post »Goes to show, how trash can be turned into treasure.
Aerocog
Posted on August 29, 2012 at 11:38pmYa!…Whale vomit.
Report Post »Mimatt
Posted on August 29, 2012 at 9:54pm“Precious hamburgers?”
Had to get my Futurama reference in…
Report Post »9stuff
Posted on August 29, 2012 at 11:15pmGood news everyone!
Report Post »godhatesacoward
Posted on August 29, 2012 at 9:27pmWorked at a bbq dive in my teens. Cleaned the smokers and cookers every other day of the fat drippings. Took it out back and stored it in 55gal drums. The smell was death warmed over. Guess who came to collect every 2 months? REVLON!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Report Post »abwehragent
Posted on August 29, 2012 at 9:04pmOh, Honey. That is the most wonderful whale puke you’ve ever worn. Wow! Makes me want to give you a kiss!
Report Post »South Philly Boy
Posted on August 29, 2012 at 9:02pmExpensive PUKE
Report Post »hi
Posted on August 29, 2012 at 8:14pmHow in the world did he research it on the internet? “Round, swirl rock looking thing on beach?”
Report Post »wianno94
Posted on August 29, 2012 at 7:06pmI see liberal vomit on TV every day, but it isn’t worth anything.
Report Post »Kaoscontrol
Posted on August 29, 2012 at 7:43pmHa! It does have a way of prolonging their stench for years after it spews forth…
Report Post »ehbardin
Posted on August 29, 2012 at 6:39pmThis stuff was featured in one of those self storage auction shows, the one that has that NY type bald dude as the auctioneer, with his sidekick big black dude who cuts the locks off of the units.
Anyway that Robert De Niro looking guy and his wife bought a unit that stunk, and they found a big black glob of this stuff. Ended up bringing it to a museum or university and was told it was whale crap; however, they were also told that it was illegal to own or sell in the USA because it came from an endangered or protected species.
Report Post »slindsley
Posted on August 29, 2012 at 6:54pmFigures, Leave it to the Federal Government to regulate Americans out of making a buck off of something an animal discarded through the act of vomiting….
Report Post »Rayblue
Posted on August 29, 2012 at 6:37pmThat’s going to make a whole swimming pool of Polo.
Report Post »chips1
Posted on August 29, 2012 at 6:31pmNancy Pelosi must use whale vomit on her face everyday. She has the money. Makes me puke!!!
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on August 29, 2012 at 6:26pmFortunate kid; hope his parents put the funds into a college account or invest it for him. Sometimes the craziest things become valuable – whale puke to riches.
Report Post »chips1
Posted on August 29, 2012 at 7:03pmThe whale didn’t do it by himself.
Report Post »Dau Tieng 59
Posted on August 29, 2012 at 7:41pmChips1, yes he did, he heard BO talking and he couldn’t help himself.
Report Post »watersRpeople
Posted on August 29, 2012 at 6:25pmAn invention is a human turd – a byproduct people sniff like a dog has a new experience every time it takes a dump.
Report Post »watersRpeople
Posted on August 29, 2012 at 6:38pmQuite honestly a dog gets more value from sniffing another dogs poo than a person gets from sniffing inventions. Dog‘s don’t end up with a financial collapse.
Report Post »face.chewer
Posted on August 29, 2012 at 6:24pmNext time Chris Christie eats 3 whole chickens I’m going to follow him into the restroom with a bucket. I’ll be rich I tells ya.
Report Post »Toltepeceno
Posted on August 29, 2012 at 6:29pmYou would make out better following moochelle.
Report Post »CanteenBoy
Posted on August 29, 2012 at 6:43pmIf you tail him too closely he will threaten to beat your arse to a pulp; and I’m sure it would be easy for him.
Report Post »Exrepublisheep
Posted on August 29, 2012 at 6:24pmHere comes pawnstars…”I’ll give you $3.50 for that, its all gross and stuff.
Report Post »Lee_in_PA
Posted on August 29, 2012 at 6:24pmJust reading Patrick O‘Brian’s Master and Commander. Ambergris was worth it’s weight in gold then too.
Report Post »13th Imam
Posted on August 29, 2012 at 6:33pmJust finished The Hundred Days M&C vol 19 have read the series about 5 times
Report Post »hades3
Posted on August 29, 2012 at 6:20pmOne whale’s vomit, is a boy’s treasure.
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