Tunisian authorities apprehend Egyptian fishing boat for illegally fishing in national waters

CAIRO – 17 December 2020: The Tunisian Ministry of Defense announced Thursday apprehending an Egyptian fishing boat having 17 sailors for illegally fishing in national waters.

The boat was fishing 100 kilometers away from southeastern Kerkenneh Islands falling under the administration of Sfax governorate.

The boat was escorted by the Tunisian coast guard forces to Sfax Main Naval Base in order to take legal measures against the violators.  

In a different context, Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister for Expats Affairs Amr Abbas told press Monday that the follow-up with Nigerian authorities is still underway and that it will persist until the two Egyptian sailors abducted are freed.

Both men along with eight other crew members were on board of a general cargo ship dubbed Milan, which was hijacked by pirates on November 26.

The ship was transiting in the Pennington Terminal in Nigeria on its way to Douala, Cameroon after crossing the Escravos River.  

The Egyptian embassy is in contact with the Nigerian's president's consultant for political affairs and the Nigerian National Security Agency. The search has been taking place in Delta and Bayelsa states after the pirates fled the ship on December 4, taking hostage the 10 crew.