Whilst conducting EU NAVFOR counter-piracy patrols near to the Somali coastline, Dutch frigate and Operation Atalanta flagship, HNLMS Tromp, met a number of Somali fishermen and took the opportunity to explain how EU Naval Force warships are helping to keep the seas safer for all seafarers by deterring any potential armed pirate attacks.
Meetings such as this can help to build relationships with the local Somali fishing communities and to understand their concerns.
Thankfully pirate attacks off the coast of Somalia have dropped significanlty in the past few years. After a surge in pirate attacks in 2008, by January 2011 736 seafarers and 32 vessels were being held for ransom by Somali pirates. Today, due to continuous patrols at sea by warships from a number of navies and self-protection measures onboard merchant ships, Somali-based pirate attacks are currently suppressed.