Yemen is one of the poorest countries in the world, due in part to years of relentless civil war, and many of its citizens rely on the sea to make a living. Such was the case for a 35-person fishing crew, until they accidentally stumbled upon a life-changing fortune while fishing in the Gulf of Aden.
When the crew encountered a sperm whale carcass, they noticed that it was emitting a pungent smell, causing them to believe that it may contain ambergris. The waxy substance is a is only produced in the intestines of sperm whales, and it is used to make perfumes last longer. Some Eastern cultures also use it as a spice in medicines and potions. However, it is usually only found through happenstance, and as such it is extremely valuable. When the fishing crew cut into the whale carcass, they found a 280-pound chunk of the substance, which they sold to someone in the United Arab Emirates for $1.5 million.
The crew members split the money equally between themselves, which enabled them to purchase cars, boats, and homes and ultimately lift themselves out of poverty. They also donated a portion of the money to other poor families in their community.
Said one of the crewmembers to the BBC, “We are all poor. We never expected this thing would give us such a huge amount.”
