For generations, the ocean has kept its secrets well, but every so often, something extraordinary rises from its depths to surprise even the most seasoned fishermen. In recent months, a surge of rare, vibrantly colored lobsters—particularly the electric blue and striking golden varieties—has sparked both excitement and scientific debate along the coasts of the United Kingdom and the United States. What was once considered a one-in-two-million event is now being re-examined, as more and more of these colorful crustaceans find their way into lobster pots and, occasionally, the public eye.
According to a recent report by BBC, the bright blue lobster has long been celebrated as one of nature’s wonders, its rarity often compared to winning the lottery. “It was thought that the blue lobsters are as rare as one in two million,” explained Ben Marshall, head of production at the National Lobster Hatchery in Padstow, Cornwall. With Cornwall’s annual catch hovering around half a million lobsters, “we should only see one blue lobster every two years.” Yet, fishermen and hatchery workers are now reporting more frequent encounters with these dazzling blue specimens, raising questions about whether their supposed scarcity is overstated.
The science behind a lobster’s shell color is, as it turns out, a fascinating dance of biology and environment. Professor Jamie Stevens of the University of Exeter shed light on the phenomenon: “When we talk about blue lobsters, we’re often seeing extra blue lobsters. These are lobsters with a genetic mutation that causes an overproduction of crustacyanin, giving them a vivid, electric blue appearance.” Normally, a lobster’s shell color is the result of a complex interplay between astaxanthin, a red pigment absorbed from their diet, and crustacyanin, a protein that binds with astaxanthin to produce the familiar dark, muddy blue-green hue that helps lobsters blend into the seabed.
But what happens when this balance is disrupted? Sometimes, it’s genetics, as in the case of the blue lobster’s overzealous crustacyanin production. Other times, environment plays a role. Chris Weston, a senior hatchery technician at the Padstow hatchery, has observed firsthand how lobsters’ colors can shift depending on their surroundings. “We’ve had several lobsters hatch here and grow up with that electric blue look,” Weston said. “Interestingly, when we deploy them into containers in the sea, they often shift to a darker, more natural blue. But when they return to the hatchery, they become lighter again.”
Weston suspects that environmental factors such as light exposure and diet may influence these color changes. Hatcheries, after all, are much brighter than the shadowy seabed, and captive lobsters may have less access to astaxanthin-rich foods, allowing the blue crustacyanin to dominate. He also speculated that similar environmental shifts could be happening in the wild, possibly explaining the recent uptick in blue lobster sightings.
While the blue lobster’s story is captivating, it’s far from the only rare color morph making waves this year. Over in Rhode Island, the discovery of a bright orange “golden lobster” on September 18, 2025, by a local lobsterman’s brother added another chapter to the ongoing saga of rare crustaceans. As reported by Nexstar’s WPRI, this golden lobster—a genetic oddity believed to occur in only one out of every 30 million lobsters—is currently residing in a lobster tank at the Sakonnet Lobster Co. seafood market in Little Compton.
This isn’t the first time Ocean State residents have encountered such a marvel. Earlier in 2025, two other golden lobsters were discovered: one mixed in with a seafood delivery at a Warwick grocery store in July, and another in a shipment sent to a Newport restaurant in May. Both of these lobsters were donated to the Biomes Marine Biology Center in North Kingstown, which, as fate would have it, is also home to a rare “powder blue lobster.” These unusual finds have delighted the public and marine biologists alike, further fueling curiosity about what causes such dramatic deviations from the norm.
Scientists agree that these rare colors are the result of genetic mutations, but the rise in sightings has them scratching their heads. Professor Stevens noted, “There’s been an uptick in sightings. We haven’t seen a huge rise in our own samples, but fishermen are reporting more of them.” One possible explanation, he suggested, is that the mutation responsible for the blue hue is being passed on more successfully as these lobsters survive and reproduce. “If these lobsters are surviving and reproducing, they’re passing on that trait,” he said.
Historically, brightly colored lobsters—whether blue, golden, or otherwise—were thought to be at a disadvantage. Their vivid hues made them easy targets for predators, especially when they were young or moulting. However, Professor Stevens posited that changing environmental conditions might be leveling the playing field: “If they’re increasing, something in their environment may have changed, perhaps fewer predators, or better camouflage in new habitats.”
One thing that’s not driving the trend, at least according to current research, is climate change. Stevens was clear: “The crustacyanin, the blue colour, is under the control of two genes and we don’t see any relationship with those genes and anything that might constitute a trend towards changes in climate.” Instead, scientists are turning their attention to other factors—genetic drift, environmental pressures, and perhaps even the changing nature of the lobster fishery itself.
As for what comes next, there’s a consensus among experts that more research is needed. Genetic studies, environmental monitoring, and close collaboration with fishermen could help unravel the mystery. “It would be really useful to have a recording scheme,” suggested Beshlie Pool of the South Devon and Channel Shellfishermen, noting that the last known catch of a blue lobster in south Devon waters was a year ago. Such efforts could help determine whether these rare color morphs are truly becoming more common, or whether increased awareness is simply leading to more reports.
For now, the appearance of these extraordinary lobsters remains a source of fascination and wonder for scientists, fishermen, and seafood lovers alike. Whether their increased visibility signals a genuine shift beneath the waves or is merely a quirk of chance and human attention, one thing is certain: the ocean still has plenty of surprises in store, and its most colorful inhabitants are making sure we don’t forget it.
