Cultured shellfish theft reward program.

There is created a cultured shellfish theft reward program, to be administered by the department, for the purpose of granting rewards to persons who provide information leading to the arrest and conviction of individuals illegally possessing, harvesting, or attempting to harvest cultured shellfish.

(1) Each person who provides information leading to the arrest and conviction of an individual or individuals for illegally possessing, harvesting, or attempting to harvest cultured shellfish and for whom the respective state attorney notifies the department of such assistance, in writing, shall be eligible for a reward of up to $2,500; except that law enforcement officers and department personnel, and members of their immediate families, shall not be eligible for rewards under the program. The department shall, by rule, establish a graduated reward payout schedule.

(2) The General Inspection Trust Fund of the department may be used for the cultured shellfish theft reward program, for deposit of general revenue funds and donations received from interested individuals, and for granting rewards to persons who provide information leading to the arrest and conviction of persons illegally possessing, harvesting, or attempting to harvest cultured shellfish. The granting of rewards shall be subject to legislative appropriations to fund the program.

(3) The department may promote the cultured shellfish theft reward program to provide for public recognition of the rewards and to improve compliance with laws prohibiting illegal possession and harvesting of cultured shellfish.