The Newfoundland and Labrador government has decided to suspend the lobster processing licence belonging to seafood company Quin-Sea, in Southern Harbour, due to an “overcrowding” of the shellfish stored in a holding pen.

    Seafood inspectors with the provincial fisheries department fastened yellow caution tape to the wharf with the words “under detention” in black letters, CBC News reported.

    Those with knowledge of the operation say the holding pen lacks proper circulation, and that lobsters are either dying or weakening because of a lack of oxygen in the water.

    Provincial Fisheries Minister Gerry Byrne said the rare suspension was issued following a series of inspections that uncovered violations of the provinces Fish Inspection Act.

    It seems the company has been buying lobster in big numbers from harvesters in Placentia and Fortune Bays this year, leading to overcrowding in the holding pen.

    The inspectors expressed their concern that the crates are crowded into shallow water and, as the water temperature rises, oxygen levels plummet, which is causing some lobster to suffocate, and those that do not die before being processed, are weak and of reduced quality.

    Byrne said the department will take action whenever there is a situation that might tarnish the industrys reputation. He stressed that there is no risk to human health.

    “Im confident harvesters will be able to seek other markets, but as well, potentially in the not-so-distant future, should Quin-Sea decide to become compliant with the act, that plant will reopen … by the actions of the owners themselves,” said Byrne.

    Quin-Sea was purchased by the Royal Greenland group two years ago and established an operation in Southern Harbour after its seafood plant in Normans Cove-Long Cove, Trinity Bay was destroyed by fire in July 2016.