Rhode Island Sees Surge of Rare Golden Lobsters in 2025

It is one of the rarest lobsters in the world and yet three of them have been found in Rhode Island in the last four months.

Lobsters tend to be a mottled brownish-green that helps them camouflage along the ocean floor. They then turn red as cooked due to heat breaking down proteins in their bodies and leaving just red pigments exposed.

Yet sometimes lobstermen find lobsters of different colors. Blue, yellow, even white lobsters have been recorded over the years, but this summer seemed to be all about the 'golden' lobsters.

What is a 'Golden' Lobster?

Golden lobsters honestly appear a bit more orange if you ask me, but where's the fun in that name? No, the name 'golden' lobster is much better for these rare and vibrant golden-orange crustaceans.

Courtesy Dave Mataronas, Sakonnet Lobster Co.

They are extremely rare too. Only one in every 30 million lobsters has the genetic mutation that causes this beautiful golden hue.

READ MORE: Mattapoisett Restaurant Discovers Two Rare Blue Lobsters

So rare in fact, that despite being caught by the Mataronas family that owns Sakonnet Lobster Co. on California Road in Little Compton, they aren't selling the lobster they've dubbed "Goldy", but rather donating it.

Where Are Rare Lobsters Donated After They’re Caught?

Goldy is currently still hanging out inside Sakonnet Lobster Co.'s tank inside their Little Compton market, but Doug Mataronas says they will likely end up donating Goldy to the New England Aquarium in Boston, MA.

Courtesy Dave Mataronas, Sakonnet Lobster Co

Goldy isn't the first rare lobster caught by Sakonnet Lobster Co., either. Back in 2007 they made international news catching a mottled brown and bright red lobster off Newport. This find was a one in 50 million lobster and it remains preserved and on display inside the Little Compton store.

READ MORE: Seekonk Restaurant Finds 'Good Home' For Rare Lobster

Their latest famous find happens to be one of three golden lobsters that have turned up in Rhode Island since May.

Where Rhode Island’s Golden Lobsters Were Found

First was a golden lobster found at Charlestown's The Nordic restaurant. In May this lobster turned up with a delivery and the manager donated the rare crustacean to Biomes Marine Biology Center in North Kingstown, RI.

In July another golden lobster was discovered in a seafood delivery sent to Dave's Marketplace in Warwick and they too knew they couldn't sell it, also donating theirs to Biomes.

Goldy could soon join these other rare finds inside an aquarium tank, but for now still hangs out with the 'regular' lobsters at Sakonnet Lobster Co.