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HomeFish and Game CodeDiv. 9Ch. 2§ 12160 Seized Wildlife Disposition Rules

§ 12160 Seized Wildlife Disposition Rules

Fish and Game Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 12160 Seized Wildlife Disposition Rules

This law says that any seized wildlife or plants worth $100 or more must be quickly sold or used, and the money goes into a special fund unless the owner isn’t convicted, in which case the money is returned to them.

Key Takeaways

  • •Seized wildlife or plants worth $100+ must be sold or used right away.
  • •The sale price follows the normal market price on the day of seizure.
  • •Money from the sale goes to the Fish and Game Preservation Fund, unless the owner isn’t convicted, then it’s returned.

Example

A person is caught with 5 illegal fish that together are worth $150.

The state must sell the fish right away for the current market price. The $150 from the sale goes into the Fish and Game Preservation Fund. If the person is never found guilty, the $150 is given back to them.

How to Calculate

Proceeds = Market Value of seized items (must be $100 or more)

  1. Find the current market price for each item.
  2. Multiply the price by the number of items to get total market value.
  3. Make sure the total is at least $100.
  4. Sell the items at that price and collect the money.
  5. Put the money into the Fish and Game Preservation Fund, unless the owner is not convicted.

Seized 5 fish, each worth $30 on the market.

Result: Proceeds = 30 × 5 = $150, which is placed in the fund (or returned if the owner isn’t convicted).

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 12160 Seized Wildlife Disposition Rules

All birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, aquaculture animals and products, plants, or amphibians, or any part thereof, seized in accordance with Section 12159, the sale of which is not prohibited and which have a current market value of one hundred dollars ($100) or more, shall be packed, preserved, sold for bait, used for fish food in state-owned fish hatcheries, or otherwise put to economical use immediately upon seizure, at the prevailing market price for legal birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, aquaculture animals and products, plants, or amphibians in effect on the date of seizure. Any proceeds thereof shall be placed in the Fish and Game Preservation Fund. If the person from whom such birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, aquaculture animals and products, plants, or amphibians were seized is not convicted in a court of competent jurisdiction for the offense out of which the seizure arose, then and in that event the proceeds shall be returned to that person. (Amended by Stats. 2009, Ch. 294, Sec. 30. (AB 1442) Effective January 1, 2010.)

Last verified: January 10, 2026

Key Terms

seized wildlifemarket valueFish and Game Preservation Fundproceedsconvicted

Related Statutes

  • § 12157.5 Vehicle Forfeiture For Violations
  • § 12163 Wildlife Purchase Payment Requirement
  • § 15105 Aquaculture Program Funding Rules
  • § 2150.1 Permit Fee Deposit Rules
  • § 2210 Violation Civil Penalties Enforcement

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Fish and Game Code. Section 12160.
View Official Source