The head of the fishermen association in Dubai, Major General Mohamed Saeed Al Merri said that the association had officially notified the concerned departments in the country, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Coast Guards to take the required measures after the announcement regarding the boats holding a number of citizens in Kish Island of Iran.
He pointed out the concerned authorities in UAE are following the case and assuring conditions of the fishermen in the island.
Meanwhile, the association is doing its best to support the fishermen in the event the Iranian authorities slapped them with big fines, adding that the association is in touch with the fishermen to assure their safety.
He added that the Emirati fishermen and their workers who are all UAE residents were on regular fishing voyages in the sea. But the fishermen headed to the cool spots where a fish gather, and unintentionally and inattentively crossed the borders between the UAE and Iran.
The 8 Emirati fishermen whose boats were held in Iran were arrested by the Iranian authorities, he added.
The procedures regarding such cases are routine, as the fishermen will be tried for entering the water and fishing in it without a permit, where the penalties will be monetary only, Al Merri said.
On the other hand, the fishermen urged the authorities in UAE to move fast to hasten the legal procedures in order to return to their families.
They are waiting for the trial, since no actions were taken against them by the Iranian authorities, they told the Gulf Today during a phone call.
It was reported that they have no idea how much they will be fined.
Dar Al Khaleej