51. | (1) Where any person is convicted of an offence under this Act- | | (a) any fishing boat, engine, fishing net or other fishing gear or equipment or any vehicle or thing used in, or in connection with, the commission of such offence; or | | |
| | (b) any fish or other aquatic resources caught or taken in the commission of such offence or the proceeds of sale of such fish or other aquatic resources deposited in court under section 46, | | |
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| (2) Any fishing boat, engine fishing net or other fishing gear or equipment or any vehicle or thing, or fish or other aquatic resources, or proceeds of sale of any fish or other aquatic resources deposited in court under section 46, forfeited to the State by reason of the operation of subsection (1) shall vest absolutely in the State. Such vesting shall take effect- | | (a) where no appeal is preferred against the conviction by virtue of which the forfeiture has taken place upon the expiration of the period within which an appeal may be preferred to the Court of Appeal or to a High Court established under Article 154P of the Constitution against the conviction; or | | |
| | (b) where an appeal has been preferred to the Court of Appeal or to a High Court established under Article 154P of the Constitution against such conviction or an appeal has been preferred to the Supreme Court against the decision of the Court of Appeal or High Court as the case may be, upon the determination of such appeal confirming or upholding the conviction. | | |
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| (3) The Director or any person authorized by him shall thereafter take possession of any fishing boat, engine fishing net or other fishing gear, or equipment, or any vehicle or thing, or fish or other aquatic resources vested in the State under subsection (2), and may sell or otherwise dispose of the same. |
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| (4) Any proceeds realised by selling any fishing boat, engine, fishing net or other fishing gear, or equipment, or any vehicle or thing or fish or other aquatic resources under subsection (3) shall be credited by the Director to the Fisheries Reward Fund. |
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| (5) Any proceeds of the sale of fish or other aquatic resources vested in the State under subsection (2) shall be transferred by the Magistrate to the Fisheries Reward |
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Sri Lanka Consolidated Acts