EU Naval Force - Somalia
Operation ATALANTA

11 suspected pirates detained by the EUNAVFOR Spanish warship, ESPS CANARIAS on 28 March 2011 were today transferred to Seychellois legal authorities for possible prosecution. The suspected pirates were detained by the EUNAVFOR warship after they allegedly threatened a Seychelles-flagged fishing vessel 260 nautical miles North West of the Islands.  The transfer has been made possible due to the agreement between the EU and the Seychelles.

EUNAVFOR Somalia – Operation ATALANTA’s main tasks are to escort merchant vessels carrying humanitarian aid of the World Food Program (WFP) and vessels of African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). EUNAVFOR also protects vulnerable vessels in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean, deters and disrupts piracy. EUNAVFOR finally monitors fishing activity off the coast of Somalia.