Lucky Catch! Fishermen from Oman Discover Giant Rare Whale Vomit Worth $3 Million

Three fishermen from Oman have stumbled a very rare and precious catch: a giant lump of ambergris or whale vomit. The ambergris weighs more than 176 pounds and is estimated to be worth $3 million.

According to a report from Science Alert, ambergris is a waxy substance that comes from the whale stomach, which binds food and other objects that the whale could not digest. It is secreted in chunks through the mouth or excretion.

The three fishermen in Oman found the giant chunk of ambergris floating off the coast of Qurayat located in the northeastern part of Oman, the Times of Oman reports. The men used a rope to collect and carry the prized find into their boat.

"We used a rope to collect it and carry it inside the boat. I was told earlier that ambergris has an icky smell, but after a couple of days it imparts a pleasant scent. We rushed back to the beach with joy and happiness," said Khalid Al Sinani, one of the fishermen.

عثر الصيادون خالد و راشد سلطان السناني وزميلهم راشد السناني من قريات على ما يعادل 60 كجم من عنبر الحوت في عرض البحر أثناء قيامهم بالصيد. pic.twitter.com/mAYXgANPVE

— شبكة الزاجل العمانية (@zajel_oman) November 1, 2016

Despite its gross production, ambergris, also called floating gold, is a highly south and extremely expensive material as it is used in high-end perfumes to make the scent last longer.

This is not the first time that people has stumbled upon a giant chunk of ambergris. Back in April, a couple from the U.K. also found a rock of ambergris while walking on the beach, which costs $70,000.

Currently, the Omani fishermen have had offers from a Saudi trader for $2.8 million. The fishermen is likely to wait for an auction before selling the chunk of whale vomit.

Read:
Rare Whale Vomit Considered As Floating Gold, Costs $70,000; Will It Endanger Sperm Whales?
British Man Finds Rare Whale Vomit on Morecambe Beach