A New York seafood restaurant has decided to "pardon" what could be the world's oldest lobster, releasing it back into the wild.

Louie the giant lobster, believed to be 132 years old, was set free after spending two decades inside a tank at Pete's Clam Bar, in Long Island.

The owners say they didn't have the heart to cook the 10kg lobster after all this time, and he was spared from being eaten on Friday.

View photos Pete's Clam Bar owner Butch Yamali says goodbye to lobster Louie ahead of his release back to the ocean. Pictures: Facebook/Pete's Clam Bar More

View photos

Town of Hempstead supervisor Anthony J Santino made Louie's "pardoning" official by signing a declaration stating the crustacean was now free, prior to his release.

Louie may have faced a buttery fate on a seafood lover's plate, but it has been returned to a life that's better, where it's wetter, under the sea.

View photos Louie the giant lobster, believed to be 132 years old, was set free after spending two decades inside a tank at Pete's Clam Bar, in Long Island. Picture: Instagram/Pete's Clam Bar More

Experts believe Louie has a good chance of surviving in the ocean.

It's not known how long lobster can live in the wild although they will continue to grow up until their death.