Shellfish paddleboarder given a caution after pinching lobster

Mon, 11 Oct 2021

A local paddleboarder has found himself in hot water after pinching lobsters from a fisherman’s pot.

The man was photographed taking two lobsters from Gansey Bay and bringing them to shore on the front of his paddleboard, where he was confronted by a witness and eventually returned the lobsters to the pot.

The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture launched an appeal to find the man via social media, who made contact within minutes of the appeal.

The man fully admitted his involvement – apologising and stating that he did not plan to keep the lobsters and that it was always his intention to return them.

Sea Fisheries Enforcement officers confirmed to him that it is an offence to interfere with any pots, and he has been formally cautioned.