(a) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, in view of the perishable nature of fish, any employee of the Department authorized to enforce this chapter or any regulation promulgated by the Department or permit issued by the Division who seizes any finfish may dispose of said finfish in accordance with the following procedures:

(1) Finfish may be sold, and any person may purchase said finfish for money at or above fair market value;

(2) The moneys received from the sale of the finfish shall be deposited with the Superior Court in which the complaint and/or charges for the alleged violation are to be filed. Thereafter, disposition of the proceeds will be in accordance with the Rules of Civil Procedure for the Superior Court of the State of Delaware. In each case where the Superior Court has declared the finfish and moneys obtained from the sale thereof as being forfeited, all moneys not subject to valid claim by other parties and remaining with the Superior Court shall be deposited by the Superior Court into the Finfisheries Development Fund. Upon the acquittal or dismissal of charges against the alleged violator the proceeds shall be returned to said person; and

(3) The seizure and sale of finfish shall be without prejudice to any other rights and/or remedies provided for by law, contract or agreement, or this chapter or any regulations promulgated by the Department or permit issued by the Division.

(b) Whenever the Department seizes any finfish, it may elect not to follow the procedures for the disposal of said finfish that are set forth in subsection (a) of this section, and the Department may dispose of said seized finfish in accordance with the following procedures:

(1) Finfish that have been seized after an alleged violation of this chapter or any regulation promulgated by the Department or permit issued by the Division may be sold by the person alleged to have committed said violation;

(2) The proceeds of the sale by the alleged violator shall be deposited with the Superior Court;

(3) Upon the conviction of the alleged violator, the disposition of the proceeds will be in accordance with the procedure set forth in paragraph (a)(2) of this section. Upon the acquittal, or dismissal of the charges against the alleged violator, the proceeds shall be returned to said person; and

(4) Paragraph (a)(3) of this section shall be applicable to any sale of finfish under this subsection.

Code 1915, § 2514; 28 Del. Laws, c. 203; Code 1935, § 3002; 7 Del. C. 1953, § 915; 64 Del. Laws, c. 251, § 1.