Modern day piracy creates new concern
Jessie White
Issue date: 5/1/09 Section: News
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According to a 2006 United Nations report, there is an estimated $300 million worth of seafood stolen from the coastal region every year. As one can imagine, this large amount of money would do great things for the country.
The men and women of Somalia who earn their living by the sea struggle to compete with the modern techniques used by fisherman from other countries. After being left with few options, certain groups have found ways to defend their fishing grounds. By defending what is rightfully theirs, the Somalis are now being referred to as pirates.
If one of the "pirate boats" captured a foreign boat fishing offshore without a license, that foreign boat, referred to as a trawler, would be fined. Since most of the trawlers were sent out by countries or companies of ample financial means, the fine would be paid quickly in order to keep the violation out of the world spotlight. Tsuma Charo, of the Nairobi-based East African Seafarers Assistance Program, believes this kind of action is what allowed the pirates to build networks and influence a raise of such techniques.
The attacks began intensifying in November 2008. Having an organizational system and money flowing in has refined the pirates' techniques. Within the last year pirates have attacked an estimated 122 ships and taken control of 42 of them. The recent attack on the Maersk Alabama was thwarted because of the crews training. The captain, who was taken hostage, was saved by US Navy SEALS.
For the time being, the security-general has dismissed the possibility of sending UN peacekeepers to Somalia. Authorities are attempting to reinforce security in Somalia with new funding. Solutions are being proposed and considered, so far no agreements have been reached.
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