Old Salt: The Centenarian Crustacean That Rocked Waldoboro

On August 12, 1990, in the small town of Waldoboro, Maine, a most peculiar maritime mishap unfolded that would forever alter local fishing lore. Lobsterman Frank Cushman was hauling in his morning catch when he discovered something extraordinary: a massive, 70-pound lobster that marine biologists later estimated was approximately 100 years old. Named "Old Salt" by local journalists, this behemoth crustacean was so large and ancient that it likely predated the modern fishing industry in the region.

Experts from the University of Maine's marine biology department were stunned. This wasn't just a large lobster; it was a living prehistoric artifact. Its shell was a mottled, battle-scarred testament to decades of surviving in the cold Atlantic waters. Most remarkably, instead of being immediately destined for a restaurant pot, Cushman—moved by the creature's remarkable survival—donated the lobster to the local marine science center.

Old Salt became a local celebrity, drawing marine researchers and curious tourists who marveled at this living dinosaur of the deep. Genetic testing revealed fascinating details about its remarkable longevity, providing unprecedented insights into lobster biology and potential aging mechanisms.

The lobster's discovery sparked national conversation about marine conservation and the incredible resilience of sea life, transforming a routine fishing morning into a momentous scientific event that would be remembered in Waldoboro for generations.