Struggling Manx seafood firm fined for illegal undersized lobsters amid financial collapse
Island Shellfish Limited, a Manx seafood company, has been fined for possessing undersized lobsters. The discovery was made during a routine inspection by the Department of Food and Agriculture on February 6. The company, currently facing money challenges due to Brexit and the cost-of-living crisis, has laid off staff and is preparing for liquidation.
The inspection found 51 lobsters under the 90 millimetre legal limit in a storage tank at the company's Port St Mary premises. The lobsters, still alive, were returned to the sea. Island Shellfish Processing Limited, a separate entity, was fined £6,000 for the offence. The company agreed to pay the fine and £50 prosecution costs at a rate of £750 per month. Timothy Croft, director of Island Shellfish Limited, admitted the offence on behalf of the company. The company's money difficulties have led to a fall in demand for lobsters and a lack of resources to check catches at the door.
Despite the fine, the company's money struggles persist. Island Shellfish Limited is gearing up towards liquidation, and it remains unclear who represented the company in court for the allegations.
