Fishermen who sailed from Saudi port in custody for entering UAE water illegally

CNIA says men from Asian countries entered UAE waters illegally and have been referred to court, but it remains unclear where and when they were detained.

Eleven fishermen from Asian countries are in custody after they crossed into UAE waters without permission, officials confirmed yesterday. It is still unclear where, when and by whom the fishermen were detained. The Critical National Infrastructure Authority's (CNIA) general director, Staff Brig Pilot Faris al Mazrouei, said the fishermen had been referred to court.

He said he could not provide other details because the CNIA was investigating the incident. The Saudi Gazette reported that the fishermen were crossing from the Qatif area in Saudi Arabia. Their sponsors told the newspaper that the men did not mean to enter UAE waters and were not aware they had crossed international boundaries. Paul Burke, the managing director of Middle East Security, a security consultancy, said: "Maritime borders cannot be signposted as easily as land borders.

"Dhows and fishing boats may not be equipped with technology such as GPS systems, maritime radios or radar, and this increases the possibility of a small boat accidentally straying into foreign waters. It is natural for authorities to detain individuals who have illegally entered territorial waters until they can satisfy themselves of the full details of the case and that no threat is posed." Governments also try to ensure that priority for the rights to fish in their waters is given to their own nationals, he said.

Dr Theodore Karasik of the Institute of Near East and Gulf Military Analysis said fishermen illegally crossing international borders was a common occurrence. "There have been many instances between GCC states of fishermen crossing into other territories and getting arrested," he said. Such incidents would not affect relationships among countries unless they were repeated and deliberate violations by one state, he said.

Mr Burke added, however, that "that is not the status quo" and that most of these border violations are "probably innocent mistakes by the fishing crews". Dr Mustafa Alani, the director of the security department at the Gulf Research Centre, said that while 99 per cent of fishermen caught crossing into territorial waters without permission were innocent, it was common for people engaged in organised crime to pose as fishermen.

"We have a problem with smuggling of humans, illegal substances and arms," Dr Alani said. "That's why authorities arrest any fishermen who cross the borders so they can investigate whether it is an innocent act or if they had criminal intentions. "The problem here is that we have a relatively long coastline, and it is not easy to protect it, so a lot of money is spent on maritime security." In January, two Iranians were caught allegedly smuggling two of their countrymen on a dhow into Ras al Khaimah for Dh110. The two brothers, AA and BA, told the Federal Supreme Court in May that their intention was to stop at Abu Musa Island, but the dhow veered off course because of a storm.

Mr Burke said: "This is a clear example of the national security implications posed by illegal entry into the country. "It is as easy to smuggle weapons and explosives as it is to smuggle oil and people. The Iranian Revolutionary Guards, and in particular their Quds Force, are experienced in the use of deception and have a track record of conducting clandestine operations abroad. National security is not a forgiving topic and it rarely gives second chances."