TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Taiwan deported 15 members of a Chinese crew after they paid NT$3.2 million (US$98,000) for fishing illegally, reports said Friday (Nov. 22).

The incident occurred on Nov. 3, when the Chinese ship entered restricted waters near Taichung, per CNA. The Coast Guard Administration sent a patrol boat, but the Chinese ship refused to stop for an inspection and tried to flee.

However, the Coast Guard persevered and its officers boarded the fishing trawler. They found 2 tons of fish on board, which they threw into the sea.

The 15 crew members were taken to a Coast Guard base in Taichung, where they were held until payment of the fine was confirmed. The crew was sent back to sea Friday morning on their ship with a warning that if they were caught again, the vessel would be confiscated.