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Can you take ambergris from beach?

In India, the sale of Ambergris is prohibited by law as the sperm whale is an endangered species which is protected under the Wildlife Protection Act.

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We have come across many stories of people stumbling on whale vomit worth millions. The ambergris, as whale vomit is known, is often described as one of the world's strangest natural occurrences. It is produced by sperm whales and has been used for centuries, but for many years its origin remained a mystery.

ViralPress

While scientists don’t have an exact reason for why ambergris is produced in the whale’s body, some theories suggest that the substance is produced by the whale's gastrointestinal tract to ease the passage of hard, sharp objects that it may have eaten.

Why is it so expensive?

Whale vomit or ambergris can burn a hole in your pocket. A kilogram of whale vomit can cost you upwards of Rs 1 crore. The wax-like substance is produced in the digestive tract of sperm whales. Ambergris has been called the treasure of the sea and floating gold. It is hugely valuable – it commands a higher price than gold. This is because it is highly prized as a fixative and ingredient in fine perfumes. Also read: Couple On Romantic Stroll Found Whale Vomit Worth $800,000 On The Beach

Reuters

It is said to allow the scent to last longer, thanks to the ambrein molecule, which on exposure to a certain type of activated oxygen, exudes fragrance compounds that are known to be lighter and more volatile. To add to that, the floating gold tends to get lost in the ocean for decades before finding its way to the shore, it is excreted in depths far accessible to humans. Ambergris is only produced in the guts of sperm whales, which vomit the substance occasionally. Scientists think sperm whales produce ambergris to coat hard and sharp objects they ingest so they don’t damage the whales’ intestines. Such sharp objects found inside ambergris include teeth from giant squids.

Why is it illegal?

In India, the sale of Ambergris is prohibited by law as the sperm whale is an endangered species which is protected under the Wildlife Protection Act. The sperm whale was declared an endangered species in 1970.

Reuters

However, in countries like UK and the rest of the European Union, it is currently perfectly legal to salvage a lump of ambergris from beaches and sell it, either at auction or on sites such as eBay. All whale and dolphin species are strictly protected under EU law and international trade in whale products is banned. However, ambergris is treated differently, since CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) regards the substance as an excretion, like urine or faeces, and therefore, as a benign byproduct and hence not requiring to be covered under the Convention. The EU is currently happy to support this definition. Also read: Fisherman Spots Rock-Like Lumps On Thailand Beach, It Turns Out To Be Whale Vomit Worth $3.2 Million

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Why is whale sick so valuable?

Ambergris, commonly known as whale vomit, is created by the bile duct of the sperm whale. The substance is often called “floating gold” for its costly pricing due to its unique fragrance which is used in luxury perfumes - the reason why its in high demand in the international market.

The Uttar Pradesh Police Special Task Force (STF) has arrested a gang of four members smuggling highly demanded ambergris or whale vomit in Lucknow. The STF said four members of a gang were arrested from police station Gomtinagar Extension area, Lucknow, with 4.120 kg of Ambergris worth ₹10 crore. Ambergris, commonly known as whale vomit, is created by the bile duct of the sperm whale. The substance is often called “floating gold” for its costly pricing due to its unique fragrance which is used in luxury perfumes - the reason why its in high demand in the international market. Reportedly, Ambergris makes the perfume scent last longer. The Wildlife (Protection) Act in India protects the sperm whale species which are found in the deep sea. Ambergris is named after a waxy substance called ‘spermaceti’ which is found in the heads of sperm whales. The whale produces the solix waxy substance in the form of a vomit which is at times found floating in the sea by fishermen. Recently, there have been many instances of busting Ambergris smuggling which has raised concerns about the poaching of sperm whales in the deep sea for the valuable substance - a kilogram of which costs at least ₹1 crore. To identify Ambergris, officials conduct a test in which a red hot needle is put on the substance. If it emits white fumes and odours, the substance is considered ambergris and sent further for authentication.

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