The Tunisian coast guard seized an Egyptian fishing boat for violating the country's territorial waters and illegally fishing in Zarzis coast in southeastern Tunisia.

A Tunisian navy patrol held the boat, named Abu Ashraf, with 16 Egyptian fishermen on board while fishing in Zarzis, a statement by the Tunisian Defense Ministry said late on Tuesday.

The boat was towed to Zarzis port and the crew was handed over to the national guards there.

Tunisia has repeatedly complained to Egyptian authorities of the territorial breaches of fishermen. Egypt, on its part, has warned fishermen of grave consequences of their repeated violation of the Tunisian territorial waters.

In August, Tunisia released 15 Egyptian fishermen who had been arrested a month before near Sfax port, also for territorial breach.

Source: MENA