Restaurateur Condemns 'Ignorant' Activist Over Crayfish Death Incident
A Michelin Guide-listed restaurant proprietor has voiced profound disappointment with legal authorities following a distressing episode where an animal rights activist seized a crustacean from an educational display tank and forcefully threw it into the ocean. The incident, which occurred at Catch at the Old Fish Market in Weymouth, Dorset, has sparked controversy over the handling of the case and the fate of the creature involved.
Dramatic Confrontation at Harbour-Side Establishment
The event unfolded on the evening of 10 April 2025, when Emma Smart, a 47-year-old marine biologist, was captured on CCTV lurking outside the seafood restaurant. Her attention was fixed on a warm water display tank housing two crayfish, affectionately named Ronnie and Reggie by staff. These crustaceans had been donated by local fishermen after being caught in the English Channel and were primarily used for educational purposes to attract families.
When a waiter opened the front door to allow customers to depart, Smart reportedly barged inside, confronting the staff member and declaring she was "taking the lobster" as it "needed to be free." She then brushed the young waiter aside, grabbed one of the crayfish from the tank, resisted attempts by staff to intervene, and marched outside. With considerable force, she hurled the creature into the harbour "like a cricket ball," according to eyewitness accounts.
Owner Reveals Crustacean's True Identity and Tragic Outcome
Restaurateur Sean Cooper, who opened his establishment in 2021, clarified that the animal was not a lobster, as mistakenly referred to in court, but a crayfish—a species more commonly found in the warmer waters of the Mediterranean. He emphasised that the sudden change in water temperature from the warm tank to the cold harbour would have "almost certainly" killed the crayfish instantly due to thermal shock.
Mr Cooper described Smart as "ignorant" for her actions, noting that the force of the throw alone likely caused fatal injuries. Tragically, the second crayfish died not long after the incident, with Mr Cooper speculating it might have succumbed due to the loss of its mate. The restaurant, recognised by the Sustainable Restaurant Association as a "world-leading" venue for sustainable fish and seafood sourcing, has been unfairly targeted, he argued.
Legal Proceedings Spark Outrage Over Reduced Charges
Despite unambiguous CCTV footage and initial charges of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal, theft, and assault, Smart was permitted to plead guilty to the lesser count of criminal damage. This decision was made without Mr Cooper's input, leaving him deeply frustrated. He had informed both police and the Crown Prosecution Service that he wanted the "book thrown" at Smart, but the charges were effectively dropped in favour of a minor plea.
Smart subsequently received an eight-month conditional discharge and was banned from approaching within ten metres of the restaurant for the next three years. Mr Cooper criticised the handling of the case, revealing he had arranged a meeting with police to discuss his objections, but it never materialised. "The next thing we knew, the outcome was being reported in the press," he lamented, highlighting the lack of communication.
History of Activism and Misguided Targeting
This was not the first time Smart had targeted Catch. In 2022, police were called when she attempted to barge into the restaurant to speak to veteran broadcaster and naturalist Sir David Attenborough, who was dining there. She reportedly called on Sir David to support climate activists in prison and refused to leave when asked.
Mr Cooper expressed particular frustration, stating that Smart is directing her anger at the wrong target. "Weymouth's fishing fleet is recognised globally for the way it operates. The values she claims to hold are, in large part, the values we live by. Her campaign against us is as misguided as it is damaging," he asserted. In court, Smart's defence argued she acted on impulse due to her deep care for animals and marine welfare, but Mr Cooper maintains the outcome was a travesty that led to unnecessary suffering.
