TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — After the Japan Coast Guard boarded and seized a Taiwanese fishing vessel on Friday (July 5), Japanese authorities declared the same day that the ship and fisherman would be released once a fine of NT$1.2 million (US$37,300) is paid.

The fishing vessel, the Fuyang No. 226 (福洋266號), was intercepted around 1 a.m. on Friday morning after Japanese authorities claimed the boat was fishing illegally near the Amami Island group in Japan’s Okinawa Prefecture, per CNA. The Taiwanese captain and two Taiwanese crew members were detained, while six Indonesian crew members were left aboard the seized vessel.

Friday afternoon, the Keelung Fishermen’s Association said that it had been contacted by Japan’s Fisheries Agency, which is prepared to release the crew and the ship once the vessel's owner pays the fine. Reports indicate that the owner of the ship, a person surnamed Tsai (蔡), is prepared to remit the funds. 

According to other fishing crews, the area where the ship was operating is very close to the restricted zone demarcated by Japanese authorities. Some claimed to have fished in the same waters before without incident, per UDN. 

In related news, another Taiwanese fishing boat, the Da Jin Man No.88 (大進滿88號) was seized by the Chinese Coast Guard in waters near Kinmen on Tuesday (July 2). Negotiations between Taiwanese and Chinese agencies are still ongoing to secure the release of the detained fishermen.