On 09 December 2022, EUNAVFOR Atalanta conducted Joint Sea Activity, supporting UNODC’s Global Maritime Crime Programme (GMCP) and Somali Fisheries Enforcement officers, as part of UNODC organised training activity Ex Sea Spirit in support of UNSCR 2662/2022. The drill took place near the coast of Seychelles and aimed at strengthening the procedures of the Somali officers in Fisheries Enforcement in their EEZ.
The activity involved the deployment of the ATALANTA Flagship ESPS SANTA MARIA, with a helicopter AB212 and a SCAN EAGLE UAV, the ship THETIS SUPPORTER (simulating a Somali Fisheries Protection vessel), the mentors of UNODC, the Somali embarked force (of Fishery Inspectors and Maritime Police boarding party) and the monitoring of the Regional Coordination Operations Centre (RCOC).
During the training, EUNAVFOR Atalanta, in close coordination and cooperation with the fisheries protection team composed by two fisheries inspectors and six trained boarding officers, focused on improving boarding techniques and procedures and investigation skills combating within a simulated scenario of IUU Fishing, arms smuggling and people trafficking.
IORIS information sharing platform was used in this Joint Sea Activity providing a unique and key tool for coordination and information sharing.
Once more time, IORIS has proven its flexibility to adapt to any scenario, enhancing the cooperation at national and regional levels as well as the operations and activities at sea.
This collaboration has been an excellent opportunity to reinforce the existing links with the RCOC in Seychelles and act as a maritime security provider. Furthermore, building and developing regional maritime capability is one of Operation Atalanta’s main objectives. By sharing our expertise, the collaboration promotes lasting regional maritime solutions, which will help to build a Maritime Security Architecture throughout the region. Maritime Capacity Building (MCB) activities are proven to enhance the mutual trust and understanding between the European Union and regional maritime forces.
Maritime training with regional partners is an extremely important aspect of the European Union’s efforts to help develop the capabilities of local maritime forces. Working together with UNODC GMCP and the Somali officers is a critical element in supporting Somalia’s maritime security requirements.
