An animal rights activist’s attempt to free a crayfish from a Dorset restaurant tank resulted in tragedy when its companion died days later, possibly from loneliness.
The Intrusion at Catch Restaurant
On the evening of April 10, 2023, Emma Smart, a 47-year-old marine biologist, entered Catch at the Old Fish Market in Weymouth, Dorset. Surveillance footage shows her pushing past staff to reach a warm-water tank housing two crayfish named Ronnie and Reggie.
A staff member tried to block her, but Smart reached in, grabbed one crayfish, and stormed out. She then hurled it into the harbor with force, likened to a cricket ball throw.
Restaurateur Sean Cooper explained that the crayfish, sourced from the English Channel but native to warmer Mediterranean waters, served as educational pets, not menu items. The sudden plunge into cold harbor water likely caused immediate death from thermal shock.
Tankmate’s Tragic End
The surviving crayfish perished shortly afterward. Cooper noted, ‘I don’t know if the loss of its mate had an impact on that,’ highlighting the pair’s bond.
The tank aimed to engage families and promote learning about local seafood, aligning with the restaurant’s sustainable practices recognized by the Sustainable Restaurant Association.
Court Proceedings and Sentence
Smart appeared at Bournemouth Crown Court, pleading guilty to one count of criminal damage. Prosecutor Ben Thompson described the event: ‘Ms Smart reached into the fish tank and took the crayfish… she left and leaned over a wall before placing it in the harbour.’
Defense counsel Kitan Ososami called it an ‘impulsive’ act driven by Smart’s deep concern for animal and marine welfare.
Her Honour Judge Susan Evans remarked, ‘The lobster was not there for consumption. It was there for educational purposes… It was a deeply misguided thing to have done.’
Smart received an eight-month conditional discharge and a three-year restraining order barring her from approaching within 10 meters of the restaurant.
Owner’s Frustration
Cooper expressed disappointment with the plea deal, originally facing charges of animal suffering, theft, and assault. He stated, ‘The video evidence was unambiguous… To have those charges effectively dropped in favour of a minor plea is very hard to accept.’
He criticized the handling, noting a planned police meeting never occurred. Cooper defended his venue: ‘Catch… has been identified… as the world-leading restaurant for sustainable fish and seafood sourcing.’
This was not Smart’s first encounter with the restaurant. In 2022, police intervened when she tried to approach diners, including Sir David Attenborough, to advocate for climate activists.
