Egypt’s ambassador to Tunisia Nabil Habashi said the embassy is increasing efforts in its negotiations with Tunisian authorities to release a fishing boat detained in Sfax port. The Egyptian fishing boat, along with 16 fishermen, were detained near the port on Friday on charges of trespassing regional waters. Some 17 fishermen were detained near the port of Benghazi in Libya in mid-August, as they tried to enter the port. The deterioration of fisheries in Egypt is believed to be the trigger behind the increased influx of Egyptian fishermen travelling to regional waters outside of Egyptian territory. “If one [fisherman] could not fish one day, he has nothing to eat,” one of the residents told ECESR, referring that the factories actions affects the fishermen’s primary source of income.

Source: Daily News Egypt October 22, 2016 15:33 UTC