The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation says 820 undersized lobsters were seized from Price Chopper’s Schenectady distribution center after an inspection Tuesday.
The lobsters were below the legal size limit, which is intended to protect wild stocks.
DEC says 105 of the undersized lobsters have been seized at other stores, with a total seizure valued at more than $7,000.
The agency says it will attempt negotiate a settlement with Price Chopper in the coming weeks. The chain could face a fine of $100 per illegal lobster.
The shellfish were donated to the Latham Food Bank. The supermarket tells local media its distributor is to blame.