Dudley Market Hit with Penalties for Fishing Violations
LOS ANGELES – After a long investigation, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife has found that Dudley Market, a well-known seafood restaurant in Venice, violated several fishing laws. As a result, the restaurant and its associated staff now face penalties totaling $150,000 in fines and court costs.
Dudley Market, famous for its fresh seafood offerings like oysters, crudo, sashimi, and fish tacos, was operated by owner Conner Mitchell and includes a team of fishermen including former manager Taylor Grant, boat owner Gilmer Grant, and captain Cody Martin. The restaurant catches local fish like yellowtail and Pacific tuna, attracting many customers from the nearby Boardwalk.
Prosecutors from Los Angeles and Santa Barbara counties stated that several individuals linked to the restaurant engaged in illegal fishing activities between 2020 and 2021. These activities included fishing without proper licenses, catching fish in protected areas, and selling seafood while falsely advertising it as sustainable and sourced from legal practices.
Mitchell explained that he was still learning about the complicated fishing regulations at that time, but he assures that he has been compliant since 2021.
Additionally, the restaurant’s reported catches were often recorded inaccurately. A spokesperson for the state remarked on the operation being under the table, blurring the lines between personal fishing and commercial practices, which is vital for maintaining marine life balances.
“These businesses misled the public by claiming to care for our resources, while their fish was sourced unlawfully,” said L.A. County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman.
Following the investigation, Mitchell and his businesses, including Dudley Street Oyster Bar, were fined $58,226.25 in civil penalties and $15,000 to the Fish and Game Preservation Fund. Court costs were an additional $1,773.75.
Taylor Grant, the former manager, was ordered to pay $40,000 and an additional $10,000 to the preservation fund. Fisherman Martin was fined $8,000 and $2,000, while vessel owner Gilmer Grant faced fees totaling $15,000.
Due to their violations, both Martin and Taylor Grant have lost their California commercial fishing licenses indefinitely, and Gilmer Grant is now barred from operating any commercial fishing vessel.
In a message, Mitchell acknowledged their past mistakes, stating, “We did not have all the required permits, licenses, and reporting processes in place… Once we learned about these issues, we worked closely with regulators to fix them immediately and have been compliant ever since.”
Dudley Market first opened in 2015 under Mitchell and former chef Jesse Barber but closed the following year. Mitchell reopened it in 2019, focusing on sustainable, line-caught seafood after discovering a passion for fishing during his recovery from an injury.
“While catching fish locally, I realized it tastes better than many of the imported varieties,” he shared in a 2024 interview.
As part of a settlement, Dudley Market now features a disclaimer on its website admitting to previously misleading advertising practices related to sustainable sourcing and violations of fishing laws.
