The Israel Foreign Ministry started proceedings today with Turkey to obtain release of the Israel fishing boat, the “Dolphin” which was detained last Thursday by a Turkish naval ship while fishing with two other Israel boats outside Turkish waters.
A message received Thursday night at the Haifa shore station reported that while the Dolphin, and the “Neveh Yam” and “Schachaf” were fishing off the Turkish port of Iskan drun, the Turkish ship approached at great speed. The ship fired several warning shorts and then brought the Dolphin to Iskandrun. Five fishermen were aboard the Dolphin. The other two Israel boats eluded the Turkish warship.
The Nachshon Company, owner of the boats, said that earlier messages from the fishermen indicated clearly that they were fishing outside of Turkish waters and that the yield was excellent. Company officials recalled that two years ago, Turkish officials detained two Israel boats. Legal procedures to obtain their release lasted nearly 18 months during which the captured boats were severely damaged while anchored unattended in a Turkish port. The company officials said that since then Israel boats have exercised special care not to enter Turkish waters.
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