California Code, Fish and Game Code - FGC § 8630

Any net or trap used for taking fish in violation of the provisions of this code is a public nuisance. It is the duty of every person authorized to make an arrest for such a violation to seize and keep the net and report the seizure to the department.

The department may commence proceedings in the superior court of the county or city and county in which the seizure is made by petitioning the court for a judgment forfeiting the net. Upon the filing of the petition, the clerk of the court shall fix a time for a hearing and cause notices to be posted for 14 days in at least three public places in the place where the court is held, setting forth the substance of the petition and the time and place fixed for its hearing. At that time, the court shall hear and determine the proceeding and, upon proof that the net was used in violation of this code shall order it forfeited. Any net so forfeited shall be sold or destroyed by the department. The proceeds from all those sales shall be paid into the Fish and Game Preservation Fund.