Angry lobster poacher triggers police to call for backup

A lobster poacher caught read handed in Springersdiep on Goeree-Overflakkee, responded to being caught with so much anger that police officers felt the need to call for backup, the police said in a statement on Monday.

The poacher and a companion were caught on Friday. The police were already talking to one poacher - a 48 year old from Goes caught with eight lobsters in a bag - when a second one surfaced.

The second poacher - a 37 year old man from 's-Heerenbroek - was "very obstinate", according to the police. He denied having anything to do with poaching, despite being caught red handed with a bag containing seven lobsters. The man responded withs such anger that the police summoned backup to help surround the suspect.

The lobsters' claws were tied with cable ties. According to the police, some of the animals were full of roe, which the species needs for survival.

Official reports were filed against both men before they were sent home. Their diving equipment was seized and the lobsters were returned to their watery home.