110-year-old lobster released by Long Island restaurant after years in captivity
On June 12, Peter’s Clam Bar in Island Park, Long Island, released a 21-pound lobster named Lorenzo back into the ocean after years in captivity. The crustacean, believed to be 110 years old, had lived inside a tank at the restaurant for more than a decade. The release took place on National Lobster Day and just days before Father’s Day, turning a symbolic gesture into a moment of local significance. The decision was made by Butch Yamali, the restaurant’s owner, who described Lorenzo as a long-standing presence at the establishment.
What drew attention to Lorenzo wasn't just his size, but his extraordinary age. According to a report by Live Science, American lobsters like Lorenzo are capable of living for over a century in the right conditions, particularly in cold Atlantic waters that slow their metabolism and reduce physiological stress. While most lobsters do not live nearly as long, some, like a lobster named George, once estimated to be 140 years old, have become rare examples of extreme longevity in the species, as per NBC News. Researchers note that precise age estimation in lobsters is difficult because they molt their exoskeletons, leaving no fixed markers, but biology and growth patterns suggest lifespans of up to 100 years are indeed possible.
Lorenzo’s age alone made him a natural draw for restaurant guests and part of what turned him into a local fixture. "People would come see him and take pictures with him, and he was just an object of the store," Yamali told Pix 11 News, adding, "Lorenzo just kind of slipped through the cracks and ended up in our tank for years." Instead of selling or discarding him, the restaurant coordinated a ceremonial release with the help of Hempstead Town Supervisor Don Clavin and Nassau County Legislator John Ferretti. The two officials joined Yamali on-site to formally pardon the lobster before escorting him by boat to Atlantic Beach Reef. The trip was carried out with support from the Hempstead Bay Constable.
The release continues a tradition at Peter’s Clam Bar. Years earlier, the restaurant made a similar decision with another lobster named Lenny. According to Yamali, this is not just about sentiment, but ethics. "If he passed away here, it wouldn’t be a good thing, and I couldn’t have the heart to sell him," he said. Ferretti also commented on the occasion. "Most people celebrate National Lobster Day with butter. But not today," he said. The statement echoed the public framing of the event as a deliberate moment of kindness during a holiday weekend.
Lorenzo’s release was shared online by the restaurant in a Facebook post: "He’s now living his best life — clawing his way to freedom and soaking up the salty breeze (instead of butter)." The restaurant described Lorenzo as more than just a tank inhabitant. Over the years, he had become a familiar part of the space, a reason for many customers to return. Though Yamali acknowledged that Lorenzo would be missed, he was clear that this was the right time and the right way to let him go. "It's been like losing a pet. But it’s better this way," Yamali said.