A Sonoma County husband-and-wife team has pleaded guilty to operating an illegal fish-selling operation out of their Rohnert Park home, bringing an end to a California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) investigation that authorities say uncovered years of unlawful activity tied to sport-caught fish from the Sonoma Coast.
Sonoma County District Attorney Carla Rodriguez announced that Richard and Shalley Tran pleaded to two counts of illegally selling and exchanging fish for profit or personal gain. The case stemmed from a CDFW investigation that began in 2024 after the agency received a tip alleging the couple was unlawfully commercializing sport-caught fish.
According to prosecutors, surveillance revealed the Trans processed fish inside their Rohnert Park residence and then sold the catch from their home, other residences in Sonoma County, and multiple locations throughout the Bay Area, including private homes and businesses. Investigators believe the illegal sales operation had been ongoing for at least a decade.
“Through their investigation, CDFW came to believe the [Trans] had been selling fish illegally for at least the past 10 years,” the District Attorney’s Office said in a press release.
Authorities detailed several violations tied to the couple’s operation. Prosecutors said the Trans used a fishing vessel that was not commercially registered, relied on individuals who were not commercially licensed, failed to obtain a Fish Receiver’s License, and did not properly “land” their fish.
In California, “landing” a fish means bringing it ashore and initiating the documentation process that allows CDFW to track seafood as it moves through the marketplace. Skipping that step is a serious violation.
“By skipping the landing step, commercial fishers circumvent paying landing fees and can also avoid claiming their subsequent fish sales as income for tax purposes,” the District Attorney’s Office stated.
District Attorney Rodriguez emphasized that the case was about more than paperwork violations.
“Our Environmental and Consumer Law Division works with CDFW to ensure that individuals comply with commercial fishing regulations, which not only helps to preserve our natural resources but also promotes fair business practices,” Rodriguez said.
As part of the case resolution, the Trans forfeited $66,000 in cash seized from their home. Prosecutors said the money represents “just a portion of the proceeds of their illegal fish business.” CDFW also seized fishing gear connected to the operation.
In addition, the couple is barred from engaging in any fishing activities for one year.
Illegal commercialization of sport-caught fish is a recurring enforcement issue along the California coast, where strict regulations are designed to protect fish populations, ensure food safety, and maintain a level playing field for legally licensed commercial fishermen.
CDFW officials have repeatedly warned anglers that selling sport-caught fish without proper licenses and documentation undermines conservation efforts and hurts lawful fishing businesses that follow the rules. Additionally, the lack of data about the take makes it difficult for fisheries managers to set seasons and bag limits.
In this case, authorities say a single tip ultimately exposed what they believe was a long-running, home-based fish-selling operation that spanned much of the Bay Area, ending with guilty pleas, forfeited cash, and a temporary ban from fishing for the Rohnert Park couple.
