Local middle schooler nets rare lobster - Mount Desert Islander
Elli Hamor shows off Ghosty, the white and blue lobster that she found in one of her traps in Northeast Harbor. The 12-year-old hopes to find an aquarium for the rare lobster. ISLANDER PHOTO BY ETHAN GENTER
NORTHEAST HARBOR — Elli Hamor has only been lobstering for three years now, but the 12-year-old middle schooler got the catch of her life when she pulled up an uber rare lobster last week.
Hamor was tending to her 50 traps in Northeast Harbor with her father, Ben Hamor, when she pulled up one trap and found "Ghosty," a 1.25-pound white lobster with shades of blue.
"I was shocked," said Elli.
Inside the trap with the rare crustacean were three other run-of-the-mill lobsters. Dad didn't realize the find at first. The harbor has been seeing a lot of green crabs so Ben thought it was one of those at first. When he realized what they caught, he too was floored.
"I was like, 'Oh my goodness Elli, look at what we just caught,'" he said.
Hamor, who is going into seventh grade, tends her traps about twice a week. She said this was the most exciting catch she's ever had.
The unique lobster will avoid the lobster pot and the duo are trying to find a home for him at an aquarium.
"I thought it was about the coolest thing I've ever seen," Ben said. "And to catch it in the harbor to boot."
Elli said she got into lobstering because it's kind of a local tradition. Her father does it, her friend does it, and that friend's parents do it.
She also wanted to save up money to get a dog and care for it. She's now the proud owner of Pippa, a French bulldog. She thought she might continue to lobster as a side job when she grows up. Besides that, she just loves getting out in the salty air.
"I love being out on the water," she said. "It's super relaxing."
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