1,100 pounds of undersized lobsters seized from Price Chopper

Photo courtesy of N.Y. Department of Environmental Conservation

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has seized more than 1,100 pounds of undersized lobsters from Price Chopper Supermarkets in three different inspections over the last four months, the agency said.

In March, DEC Environmental Conservation Officers discovered short lobsters at two stores in Binghamton, N.Y. Random checks at Price Chopper locations across the state in May also found undersized shellfish, as defined by the state’s Environmental Conservation Law. At least 105 lobsters were seized at the stores.

Earlier this week, a routine inspection of a distribution center in Schenectady found 820 lobsters that were too small for sale.

The total value of the seized items was more than $7,000, DEC said. Price Chopper could be fined up to $100 per lobster seized. DEC said it would try to negotiate a settlement with the retailer in the coming weeks.

The undersized lobsters were donated to the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York.

The news was first reported by Seafood Source.