A state investigation found unlawful seafood sales and misleading sustainability claims tied to operations in 2020 and 2021.
A Venice restaurant and seafood business has agreed to pay more than $100,000 in penalties and restitution after California wildlife officials found it unlawfully sold fish and misrepresented the sourcing of its seafood products during 2020 and 2021, authorities announced.
The settlement resolves a civil enforcement action against Dudley Market and associated business entities following an investigation by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Prosecutors alleged the business violated state and federal commercial fishing laws while advertising its seafood as sustainable, traceable and lawfully sourced.
According to investigators, the violations included the purchase, possession and sale of sport-caught fish that cannot legally be sold commercially, commercial fishing activity conducted without required licenses, failures to properly document federally managed fish species and the harvesting of rockfish in restricted conservation areas and marine protected areas.
State officials said the investigation focused on conduct that occurred in 2020 and 2021.
The case centered on Dudley Market managers Conner Mitchell, 37, of Venice, and Taylor Grant, 41, of Santa Monica, as well as commercial fisherman Cody Martin, 30, of El Segundo. Investigators executed search warrants on electronic devices and vessel equipment and said the evidence revealed...
A state investigation found unlawful seafood sales and misleading sustainability claims tied to operations in 2020 and 2021. A Venice restaurant and seafood business has agreed to pay more than $1...