Omani Fishermen Became Millionaires, Thanks To “Whale Vomit” Worth $2.5M

The lives of three Omani and their families will soon change for the better after a rare catch that would make them at least one million Omani riyals ($2.5-M) richer.

The Times of Oman reports, the fishermen were on their routine fishing trip in Qurayat last October 30 when they stumbled upon an ambergris – or ‘whale vomit’ – floating on the sea and emitting a foul smell.

It was the smell every fisherman in Oman known for having ambergris washed on its shore from time to time had been dying to find in their whole lives, knowing that such a rare find could cost a fortune if they’re lucky to find a sizable one worth millions.

True enough, it was large ambergris weighing 80 kilograms, and each kilogram cost around 13,000 Omani riyals ($33,766).

Khalid Al Sinani is one of the lucky fishermen. He is in his early 30s and had been dependent on his sea catch for the most part of his hand-to-mouth existence as a fisherman.

“We used a rope to collect it and carry it inside the boat,” Al Sinani narrated. “I was told earlier that ambergris has an icky smell, but after a couple of days it imparts a pleasant scent.”

Ambergris is used for manufacturing perfume. It is a costly wax-like soft substance normally found as a secretion from the intestines of a sperm whale.

Al Sinani said they were ecstatic and immediately hauled their catch to the shore, kept it in a box before consulting an expert to confirm if it was indeed ambergris.

“After we made sure it was ambergris, we started cutting it in order to dry and sell it later,” he said.

After a few days, prospective clients from United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia have contacted them, offering price from OMR 7,500 ($19,485) to as much as OMR 13,500 ($35,000) per kilogram.

“My dream came true. I have been waiting for such a moment for the past 20 years when I started fishing with my father,” said Al Sinani who said he wanted the price to reach as high as OMR 18,000 ($46,765) per kg before closing any deal.

After the sale, the fisherman said he is likely to change profession and is planning to work in real estate business.

[Source: Times of Oman]