![\"Tuna](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1780545560_903_.jpeg\")
<\/p>\nAfter a yearslong investigation, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife said Dudley Market violated state fishing laws, and staff, fishermen and businesses associated with the popular Venice restaurant and wine bar were hit with $150,000 in penalties and court fees. <\/p>\n
Dudley Market is known for its fresh seafood, and customers come for its oysters, crudo, sashimi, fried fish collars and fish tacos just off the Boardwalk. Owner Conner Mitchell, former manager Taylor Grant, boat owner Gilmer Grant and boat captain Cody Martin were all involved in catching local fish such as yellowtail, rockfish and Pacific tuna. <\/p>\n
For the record:<\/p>\n
3:19 p.m. June 3, 2026An earlier version of this article stated that the Conner Martin broke his arm. It was his leg.<\/p>\n
Now some have been barred from commercial fishing, according to prosecutors in L.A. and Santa Barbara. Along with the state, which announced results of its inquiry on Monday, they said that staff and the restaurant\u2019s fishermen repeatedly broke laws in 2020 and 2021, including fishing without required licenses, harvesting fish in conservation areas and \u201cunlawfully selling seafood while advertising its products as traceable, sustainable and lawfully sourced.\u201d Investigators used search warrants for cell phone data and chart plotters to discover sourcing.<\/p>\n
Mitchell, who also sells seafood to other L.A. restaurants, says he was learning a complicated system of local, state and federal fishing regulations at the time and that he has operated in compliance since 2021.<\/p>\n
Caught fish were also not reported correctly, resulting in what one state spokesperson characterized as \u201can under-the-table operation \u2026 they were acting as though they were privately fishing, and not commercial fishing.\u201d The distinction between smaller personal use versus high commercial volume is significant, and reporting catches helps maintain and track marine-life population. <\/p>\n
\u201cThese businesses lured the public into thinking they were caring for our precious resources, when in reality, their fish was unlawfully sourced,\u201d L.A. County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said in a news release. <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Tuna crudo with Sungold tomatoes, basil and marinated peppers at Dudley Market, pictured July 17, 2024.<\/p>\n
(Stephanie Breijo \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n
Mitchell and his businesses, Dudley Street Oyster Bar and Shark Bite Fish Co., were ordered to pay $58,226.25 in civil penalties, $15,000 to the Fish and Game Preservation Fund\u202fand $1,773.75 in court costs and fees last month. <\/p>\n
He says Dudley Market has fished, sold and advertised its seafood in compliance ever since learning it was in violation.<\/p>\n
Former manager and business partner Taylor Grant, who also co-managed tandem fishing company Shark Bite Fish Co., was ordered to pay $40,000 in civil penalties and $10,000 to the Fish and Game Preservation Fund last July. Fisherman Martin, who supplied fish to the restaurant, was ordered to pay $8,000 in civil penalties and $2,000 to the Fish and Game Preservation Fund last September. Gilmer Grant, who owned a fishing vessel used for Dudley Market in 2020, was ordered to pay $10,000 in civil penalties\u202fand $5,000 to the Fish and Game Preservation Fund last August.<\/p>\n
Martin and Taylor Grant have lost their California commercial fishing licenses indefinitely, while Gilmer Grant is now prohibited from owning or operating any commercial fishing vessel in the state.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe did not have all of the required permits, licenses and reporting processes in place,\u201d Mitchell wrote in a direct message. \u201cWhen those issues were brought to our attention, we worked cooperatively with regulators, corrected them promptly, and have operated in compliance ever since. \u2026 We\u2019re proud of the fishing and restaurant business we\u2019ve built, the transparency we bring to our work, and the fact that we\u2019ve spent the last five years doing things the right way.\u201d<\/p>\n