A rare blue lobster was caught in waters near Antigonish on Friday.

The odds of catching a blue lobster are about 1 in 2 million. (Courtesy of Sheldon Trenholm)

According to research based out of the University of Maine, the odds of catching a blue lobster in North America are about one in two million. The blue colouration is caused by a genetic defect that causes the lobster to produce an excessive amount of a particular protein that gives the lobster the unique colour.

Sheldon Trenholm of South River, N.S. was the lucky lobsterman who caught the brilliant blue crustacean near Monks Head.

Trenholm said at first he didn't know what it was thrashing in the trap with seven or eight other lobsters.

He took a few pictures, showed a few friends and then he threw it back because the lobster was too small to keep.