Activist's Lobster 'Rescue' Backfires as Crustacean Was Restaurant's Pet
In a bizarre incident at a Michelin Guide restaurant in Weymouth, Dorset, an animal rights activist attempted to 'free' a lobster from what she believed was certain death, only to discover the crustacean was actually a beloved pet used for educational purposes. Emma Smart, 47, a marine biologist, took the lobster from the Catch at the Old Fish Market restaurant and dropped it into the harbour, but her well-intentioned act was deeply misguided.
The Unusual Theft Caught on Camera
Shocking footage captured the moment Smart, wearing a multi-coloured jumper, casually entered the restaurant and made a beeline for a fish tank containing the lobster. Despite efforts by restaurant staff to restrain her, she managed to pull the lobster from the tank and release it into the nearby harbour. The lobster, which had belonged to restaurant owner Anthony Cooper for two-and-a-half years, was never seen again, and its survival remains unknown.
Cooper explained that the lobster was not intended for consumption but was kept to educate visiting schoolchildren about marine life. This detail highlights the irony of Smart's actions, as she believed she was saving the creature from becoming someone's dinner.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
Smart appeared at Bournemouth Crown Court last Friday, where she admitted one count of causing criminal damage to a lobster. Prosecuting, Ben Thompson described how Smart waited outside the restaurant before entering and taking the lobster from the tank. Multiple staff members tried to intervene but were unsuccessful in stopping her.
Defending, Kitan Ososami said Smart acted on impulse, driven by her deep care for animals and marine welfare. Judge Susan Evans, however, called the act 'deeply misguided,' noting that the lobster was not there for consumption and that its release into the harbour may not have been beneficial for the animal.
Smart was given a conditional discharge lasting eight months and banned from going within 10 metres of the restaurant or approaching its staff or guests for three years. It is worth noting that while some crayfish species are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981), lobsters are not listed as endangered.
Previous Incidents and Activism
This was not Smart's first encounter with the restaurant. In 2022, she attempted to barge in to speak to veteran broadcaster Sir David Attenborough, who was dining there, to urge him to support climate activists in prison. She had to be removed by police and the restaurant owner but was later cleared of charges related to that incident.
Smart has a history of activism, including a four-month jail sentence in November 2021 for involvement in an Insulate Britain climate protest. Her actions reflect a pattern of impulsive behaviour driven by her convictions, though in this case, they led to unintended consequences for a pet lobster and the restaurant's educational efforts.
The incident raises questions about animal rights activism and the importance of understanding context before taking action. While Smart's intentions may have been noble, her lack of awareness about the lobster's role as an educational tool resulted in criminal damage and legal repercussions.
