Thai fisherman finds TWO huge lumps of whale vomit worth up to £240k

A lucky Thai fisherman found two huge lumps of whale vomit valued at £240,000 after returning to the shore disappointed that he had not caught anything.

Asaree Pooad, 24, abandoned his fishing trip with his father on Tuesday due to monsoon rains in the Satun province, south Thailand. 

Both were downhearted as they returned to shore empty-handed but the pair noticed two strange chunks floating in the shallow part of the water.

They took home the lumps thinking the samples could be the sought-after whale vomit that they had seen on television.

Asaree Pooad abandoned his fishing trip with his father on Tuesday due to monsoon rains in the Satun province. Both were downhearted when they returned to shore empty-handed but found two large chunks of whale vomit. Pictured: One sample of ambergris weighed 7kg

Asaree Pooad abandoned his fishing trip with his father on Tuesday due to monsoon rains in the Satun province. Both were downhearted when they returned to shore empty-handed but found two large chunks of whale vomit. Pictured: One sample of ambergris weighed 7kg

The father and son took home the solidified whale vomit, (sample pictured), thinking it could be the sought-after ambergris that they had seen on television. Fisherman Asaree Pooad  branded the samples 'treasures'

The father and son took home the solidified whale vomit, (sample pictured), thinking it could be the sought-after ambergris that they had seen on television. Fisherman Asaree Pooad  branded the samples ‘treasures’

The father and son were delighted after researchers at a university in the province verified the samples of whale vomit. They were awarded a certificate verifying their discovery

The father and son were delighted after researchers at a university in the province verified the samples of whale vomit. They were awarded a certificate verifying their discovery 

One of the chunks weighed 7kg while the other weighed 600g.

Combined, both lumps could be worth up to £242,000 based on quality and previous prices after scientists at the region’s Prince of Songkhla University checked the ambergris and issued certificates of authenticity.

The father and son are open to offers in case someone wants to buy the lumps from them as well as re-examining them to prove they were real.

‘We had to go home early because of the storm but we ended up finding these treasures,’ Mr Pooad said.

After sending samples to the university, the father and son were delighted when the result came back positive and received a certificate saying that the lumps were whale vomit.

The father and son (pictured) are open for offers in case someone wants to buy the lumps from them. In November 2016, three Omani fishermen found 80kg of ambergris and sold it for $3 million

The father and son (pictured) are open for offers in case someone wants to buy the lumps from them. In November 2016, three Omani fishermen found 80kg of ambergris and sold it for $3 million

Whale vomit, pictured, smells foul at first but when solidified it smells fragrant. The ingredient is highly-sought after by the perfume industry

 Whale vomit, pictured, smells foul at first but when solidified it smells fragrant. The ingredient is highly-sought after by the perfume industry

In April 2016, a 1.6kg ambergris ball found in Lancashire was sold for £50,000. The samples found in Thailand (pictured) weighed a combined 7.6kg and are valued at an estimated £242,000

In April 2016, a 1.6kg ambergris ball found in Lancashire was sold for £50,000. The samples found in Thailand (pictured) weighed a combined 7.6kg and are valued at an estimated £242,000

They are now searching for agents that buy ambergris for supplying to perfume manufacturers.           

Ambergris is produced by sperm whales when bile ducts in their gastrointestinal tract make secretions to ease the passage of large or sharp objects.

When the whale vomits, the mucilage solidifies and floats on the ocean surface.

The chunk smells foul at first but after the mucilage dries out, it develops a sweet and long-lasting fragrance. It’s a sought-after ingredient in the perfume industry.

In April 2016, a 1.6kg ambergris ball found in Lancashire was sold for £50,000 while in November of the same year, three Omani fisherman found 80kg of ambergris and sold it for $3 million.

Ambergris is valued at approximately £31.85 per gram. The weight of the recent find in Thailand – 7,600 grams – would give an estimated price of £242,000. 

Pictured is the sample of whale vomit that weighed 600g. Ambergris is valued at approximately £31.85 per gram

Pictured is the sample of whale vomit that weighed 600g. Ambergris is valued at approximately £31.85 per gram

Ambergris is produced by sperm whales (pictured) when bile ducts in their gastrointestinal tract make secretions to ease the passage of large or sharp objects. When the whale vomits, the mucilage solidifies and floats on the ocean surface

Ambergris is produced by sperm whales (pictured) when bile ducts in their gastrointestinal tract make secretions to ease the passage of large or sharp objects. When the whale vomits, the mucilage solidifies and floats on the ocean surface

Asaree’s discovery came just over a week after a fellow-countrywoman found another lump potentially worth more than £185,000.

 Siriporn Niamrin, 49, had been walking along the beach after a rainstorm when she noticed a large mass washed up on the shore in Nakhon Si Thammarat province, Thailand on February 23. 

Siriporn Niamrin, 49, couldn't believe her luck after stumbling across almost £190,000-worth of whale vomit near her beach house in Nakhon Si Thammarat province, Thailand

Siriporn Niamrin, 49, couldn’t believe her luck after stumbling across almost £190,000-worth of whale vomit near her beach house in Nakhon Si Thammarat province, Thailand

The 49-year-old had been walking along the beach on February 23 when she came across the huge lump of whale vomit

The 49-year-old had been walking along the beach on February 23 when she came across the huge lump of whale vomit

Upon closer inspection, she noticed the substance smelled like fish, so she dragged the mass away from the beach – believing her find could be worth some money.

 After asking her neighbours for some help with the oval-shaped find, Siriporn was shocked to be told the substance was whale vomit, known as ambergris.

At 12 inches wide and 24 inches long and weighing almost 7kg, the ambergris has an estimated value of £186,500. 

She said: ‘If I really have the genuine ambergris, I can help my community once I find a buyer for it. 

‘I feel lucky to have found such a large piece. I hope it will bring me money. I’m keeping it safe in my house and I have asked the local council to visit to check it.’ 

source: dailymail.co.uk