Egypt said it is coordinating with Tunisian authorities to bring back home 17 fishermen arrested for illegal fishing into territorial waters, a statement by the foreign ministry read.

According to the statement, Egypt’s Assistant Foreign Minister for Consular Affairs, Ambassador Amr Mahmoud Abbas said the fishermen are currently in their boat inside the port  and are in good health.

The fishermen were arrested by Tunisian authorities for illegal entry and fishing in the southeast of  the country’s Kerkennah island.

Egyptian fishermen have been arrested in the territorial waters of neighbouring countries like Sudan, Libya and Tunisia in the past years.

Cairo has repeatedly intervened in these cases to ensure the release of the fishermen and has warned against trespassing in foreign waters.