Whale and Dolphin Conservation
Ambergris is a solid, waxy material produced in the sperm whale (Physeter catodon syn. P. macrocephalus) and also in the pygmy sperm whale (Kogia breviceps).
Clarke (2006) explained the process of ambergris formation in whales. It is formed in the rectum of the whale by the indigestible objects from the animals on which it feeds (the beaks of squid and cuttlefish). The ambergris is usually released when the whale dies. When initially released from the whale it is pale white and soft with a strong smell, somewhat like cow manure. Over a period of some months, through exposure to the elements, the ambergris oxidises and becomes darker in colour, and it loses its unpleasant odour.
Ambergris is found in lumps of various shapes and sizes, ranging from 15 grams up to 420 kilograms. Ambergris floats and is sometimes found on beaches and shorelines. During the days of whaling ambergris was one of the many products to be taken from sperm whales. Ambergris has been known to come from the sperm whale since 1724 (Boylsten in Berzin 1972). Under Australian law, ambergris is considered to be a whale product.
Ambergris has been used for many years in the perfume and medical industries to fix the odours of scents. 'In the 20th century, synthetic chemicals replaced it [ambergris] so it no longer has much value.' (Rice in Perrin et. al 2002). But according to Clarke (2006) it is still valuable in perfumery as a fixative.
Part 13A of the EPBC Act also regulates the export and import of all whale products including ambergris. These provisions are consistent with Australia's obligations under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
Under Part 13A of the EPBC Act, non-live sperm whale specimens may only be moved internationally in the following circumstances:
Specimens moved under the above circumstances must generally be accompanied by CITES documentation.
Each State and Territory Government has laws which regulate the possession of whale products. Check with your State or Territory Government before you collect or attempt to trade in ambergris.
Queensland
Environment Protection Agency
General Enquiries Line: 1300 130 372
New South Wales
Department of Environment and Climate Change
Switchboard: 02 9995 5000
Victoria
Department of Sustainability and Environment
Service Counter: 136 186
Tasmania
Department of Primary Industry and Water
General Enquiries: 1300 368 550
South Australia
Department for Environment and Heritage
General Enquiries: (08) 8204 1910
Western Australia
Department of Environment and Conservation
General Enquiries: 08 93340333
Northern Territory
Natural Resources Environment and the Arts
Switchboard: 08 8999 3311
'The simplest way to confirm its identity is to heat a wire or needle in a flame and thrust it into the sample to a depth of about a centimetre; if the substance is really ambergris it will instantly melt into an opaque fluid the colour of dark chocolate. When the needle is withdrawn the ambergris will leave a tacky residue on it.' (Perrin et.al, 2002, p21).
If you find ambergris, you should report the find to your state or territory environment department. Information on when and where you find the ambergris may assist us to better understand the life cycle and distribution of the sperm whale.
Clarke R., 2006. The origin of Ambergris. The Latin American Journal of Aquatic Mammals 5: 7-21.
Perrin W.F., Wursig B., Thewissen J.G.M., 2002. Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals, Academic Press, California, p 20.
Berzin A.A., 1972. The Sperm Whale, Izdatel'stvo 'Pishcevaya Promyshlennost,' Moscow.