South Korea and China have agreed to strengthen penalties so that both countries can seize unauthorized fishing vessels and hold them while legal procedures are underway.

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries said Tuesday that the agreement was made in bilateral working-level talks held for three days starting last Tuesday.

During the talks, the two sides discussed ways to maintain order in shared waters and strengthen cooperation to eradicate illegal fishing.

Under the agreement, the two nations decided to toughen penalties for illegal fishing starting September 1, making “serious violator vessels” subject to punishment in both countries and removing a rule that saw vessels released upon payment of a deposit.

A vessel is classified as a serious violator if it engages in unlicensed fishing, operates in the territorial waters of another country or in a designated off-limits zone, or obstructs the execution of official duties.