What’s Behind the Resurgence in Piracy Off Somalia’s Coast

What’s Behind the Resurgence in Piracy Off Somalia’s Coast
Fishermen stand on the Indian Ocean beach in the former pirate village of Eyl, Somalia, March 6, 2017 (AP photo by Ben Curtis).

After a steep reduction, piracy seems to be on the rise again off the coast of Somalia, with “five or six” incidents occurring in the past two months, according to U.S. military officials. These have included the hijacking of a Comoros-flagged tanker that was later released, as well as the seizing of a fishing trawler and the brief boarding of a cargo ship. In an email interview, John Steed, regional manager for the Horn of Africa at Oceans Beyond Piracy, explains the recent surge and the factors giving rise to it.

WPR: Why has piracy declined off the coast of Somalia in recent years, and was that decline the result of official responses to the problem or other factors?

John Steed: According to figures from the International Maritime Bureau, piracy off the coast of Somalia peaked in 2011, when 237 incidents were reported. Two years later, just 15 incidents were reported.

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