A family trip to Pismo Beach, California, turned into a costly lesson for Charlotte Russ and her children. While enjoying the beach, her kids collected 72 seashells—unaware they were actually juvenile Pismo clams, which are protected by law.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife issued Russ a staggering $88,000 fine for collecting the clams without a valid fishing license. Juvenile clams cannot be collected even with a permit, as they must reach 4½ inches to spawn and maintain the population.

Russ admitted she saw warning signs but wished there had been more prominent ones, as her children missed them. Thankfully, a San Luis Obispo County judge reduced the fine to $500.

Laughing about the incident now, Russ even got a shellfish tattoo to commemorate the experience, calling it an “unforgettable” trip.