An animal rights activist has been handed a restraining order after forcibly removing a lobster from a seafood restaurant in what she mistakenly believed was a rescue mission. Emma Smart, a 47-year-old marine biologist, admitted one count of causing criminal damage to the crustacean at Bournemouth Crown Court.
The Incident at Catch Restaurant
Footage from April last year shows Smart approaching Catch at the Old Fish Market in Weymouth, Dorset, before entering the premises. She made a direct line for a large fish tank in the kitchen area, where the lobster was housed. A staff member immediately intervened, grappling with Smart in an attempt to prevent her from accessing the tank.
Struggle and Release
Despite the employee's efforts, Smart managed to push past, plunging her left hand into the tank to seize the lobster. She then stormed out of the restaurant, with the desperate staff member clinging to her arm in a futile attempt to halt the dramatic exit. Smart rushed towards the nearby harbour, where she dropped the lobster into the sea. The animal has not been seen since, and its survival remains unknown.
Misguided Motives
Unbeknownst to Smart, the lobster was not destined for consumption. Restaurant owner Anthony Cooper had kept the creature as a pet for two-and-a-half years, using it for educational purposes when children visited. In court, Smart's defence described her actions as "impulsive," driven by her deep care for animals and marine welfare.
Legal Consequences
Judge Susan Evans imposed an eight-month conditional discharge and a three-year restraining order, banning Smart from coming within 10 metres of the restaurant or approaching its staff and guests. The judge condemned the act as "deeply misguided," noting the potential harm to the lobster. The Crown Prosecution Service dropped charges of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and assault related to allegations of shoving a staff member.
Previous Disturbances
This was not Smart's first incident at the Michelin Guide-listed restaurant. Last year, she confronted Sir David Attenborough while he dined there, shouting accusations about climate change. She was eventually removed by police but cleared of charges after a judge ruled she hadn't been given enough time to comply with a dispersal order. Smart had previously served a four-month jail term in November 2021 for her involvement in an Insulate Britain protest on the M25.
The case highlights the tensions between animal rights activism and property rights, with Smart's well-intentioned but unlawful actions resulting in significant legal repercussions.
