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Ambergris, or grey amber, is a waxy, flammable substance produced in the digestive system of sperm whales. It is highly valued by perfume makers and has been used in medicine and food. Ambergris is found floating on the sea or washed up on coastlines, including in Australia. However, under Australian law, it is illegal to trade or handle ambergris as it is considered a whale product and is protected under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Countries where it is found | Australia, Brazil, China, India, Japan, Madagascar, Maldives, New Zealand, South Africa, the East Indies, the Molucca Islands, and the Bahamas |
| Legal status in Australia | Illegal to handle, import, export, or trade under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 |
| Formation | Produced in the digestive system of sperm whales |
| Appearance | Solid, waxy, flammable substance with a dull grey or black colour |
| Scent | Initially has a marine, fecal odour, but acquires a sweet, earthy scent as it ages |
| Uses | Historically used in food, drinks, medicine, scented candles, and perfumes |
| Value | Can sell for as much as $20 per gram, with higher-quality specimens commanding prices up to $100,000 per kilogram |
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What You'll Learn
Ambergris is found in Tasmania, Australia
Ambergris is a highly valuable, rare substance formed in the digestive system of sperm whales. It is sometimes found in the abdomens of dead sperm whales, but it can also be expelled by or removed from the whale. It is passed like faecal matter and floats on the ocean's surface, where it is washed up on coastlines.
In Australia, ambergris has been found on the shoreline of a beach in remote southwest Tasmania. It has also been found in South Australia. However, it is important to note that under Australian law, the export and import of ambergris for commercial purposes are banned by the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. This legislation deems ambergris to be part of an endangered species, and any part of an endangered species is illegal to handle in Australia.
Despite this, ambergris remains a coveted ingredient in the perfume industry due to its ability to act as a scent stabiliser and fixer. It is also used in medicine and food and drink.
If you think you've found ambergris in Tasmania, Australia, it is recommended that you contact the Tasmania Department of Natural Resources and Environment for further guidance.
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It is produced by sperm whales
Ambergris is produced by the sperm whale, or the Physeter macrocephalus. It is formed from a secretion of the bile duct in the intestines of the whale. It is sometimes found in the abdomens of dead sperm whales.
It is speculated that an ambergris mass too large to be passed through the intestines is expelled via the mouth, but this is still under debate. Another theory is that an ambergris mass is formed when the colon of a whale is enlarged by a blockage from intestinal worms and the beaks of giant squids, resulting in the death of the whale and the mass being excreted into the sea.
The substance is produced to ease the passage of hard, sharp objects that the whale may have eaten. Sperm whales feed primarily on giant squid, which live at 1,000 or more meters deep. These squid have parrot-like beaks, which can get stuck in the whale's stomach. To protect itself, the whale's stomach lining secretes a sort of oily, greasy, heavy mass, which tangles up the sharp bits of the beak so that it can pass through the intestines.
Ambergris is passed like faecal matter. It can be found floating on the sea or washed up on coastlines. It is uncommon, found in less than 5% of whale carcasses. It can spend years floating on the ocean before it is found. The longer it is exposed to the sea, the better quality it is thought to be.
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It is illegal to trade in Australia
Ambergris is a solid, waxy, flammable substance produced in the digestive system of sperm whales. It is formed from a secretion of the bile duct in the intestines of the sperm whale and can be found floating on the sea or washed up on coastlines. It is sometimes found in the abdomens of dead sperm whales. It is highly valued by perfume makers as a fixative that allows the scent to last much longer, although it has been mostly replaced by synthetic ambroxide. It is also sometimes used in cooking.
In Australia, it is illegal to trade or possess ambergris. Under federal law, the export and import of ambergris for commercial purposes are banned by the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. This Act deems ambergris to be part of an endangered species, and any part of an endangered species is illegal to handle. This legislation was modelled on the American Endangered Species Act of 1973, which also prohibits the trade of ambergris.
The various Australian states and territories have additional laws regarding ambergris. For example, in Tasmania, where ambergris has been found washed up on beaches, sperm whales are a protected species, and humans are not allowed to export their products. This means that although ambergris may wash up on the shores of Tasmania, it cannot be collected and sold legally.
The international trade in whale products is banned, and sperm whales are protected under the 1982 moratorium on commercial whaling instituted by the International Whaling Commission. However, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) regards ambergris as an excretion, like urine or faeces, and therefore as a benign byproduct. This means that in most countries, including the UK and the rest of the EU, it is legal to salvage and sell ambergris.
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It is used in perfume and medicine
Ambergris has been used extensively in the perfume industry. It is a fixative that allows the scent of perfumes to last much longer. It is also used as a scent stabilizer. In the past, it was highly valued by perfume makers, although it has been largely replaced by synthetic ambroxide.
In the East, ambergris is used for medicines and potions, and as a spice. In the West, it was historically used to stabilize the scent of fine perfumes. Ambergris has also been used in food and drink. For example, a recipe for Rum Shrub liqueur from the mid-19th century called for a thread of ambergris to be added to rum, almonds, cloves, cassia, and orange peel. It has also been used as a flavouring agent in Turkish coffee and in hot chocolate in 18th-century Europe.
The substance is considered an aphrodisiac in some cultures. Ancient Egyptians burned ambergris as incense, while in modern Egypt, it is used for scenting cigarettes.
In Australia, the import and export of ambergris for commercial purposes are banned under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
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It is also known as floating gold
Ambergris, a highly valuable substance, is known as "floating gold". It is a solid, waxy, flammable substance formed in the digestive system of sperm whales. It is produced in the intestines of the whales to cover the indigestible objects from the animals on which it feeds, mostly the beaks of squid. It is passed like faecal matter and floats on the ocean's surface.
The reason for its high value is its use in creating perfumes and fragrances. It is an excellent fixative that allows the scent to last much longer. It is also used in medicine and food and drinks.
The laws regarding the possession and trade of ambergris vary by country. In Australia, it is illegal to trade ambergris as it is considered a whale product and is protected under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
Despite the legal restrictions, ambergris remains a coveted and valuable commodity, attracting those seeking a lucrative windfall. Its intriguing formation, floating nature, and ability to solidify and develop a heady aroma over time add to its allure.
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Frequently asked questions
Ambergris has been found washed up on beaches in Tasmania, South Australia, and in the ocean surrounding Australia.
Ambergris is a solid, waxy, flammable substance produced in the digestive system of sperm whales.
No, it is illegal to trade ambergris in Australia. Under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, the import, export, and trade of ambergris are banned.
To identify ambergris, heat a needle in a flame and insert it into the sample to a depth of about a centimetre. If it is ambergris, it will instantly melt into an opaque fluid the colour of dark chocolate.
