Somali piracy 2.0 - the BBC meets the new robbers of the high seas

In the coastal town of Eyl, Somalia, a troubling trend has emerged as fishermen are turning to piracy in search of financial gain. Two fishermen, who prefer to remain anonymous, recently shared their story with a BBC reporter. They wore large scarves to conceal their identities as they explained their decision to become pirates. 'You are free to record - we accept,' one of them said nervously. This is a stark contrast to the boldness of pirates from the past, who once roamed the area with confidence. Eyl has a rich history as a strategic port, known for its fresh-water source and its role as a base for pirates during the piracy boom of the early 2000s. Back then, pirates targeted container ships and oil tankers, forcing shipping companies to change their routes. The World Bank estimates that between 2005 and 2012, pirate groups earned between $339 million and $413 million from ransom payments.

However, the tides have turned for these pirates as international navies began to patrol the waters off Somalia. The Puntland Maritime Police Force now has a presence in Eyl, which many locals welcome. The pirates brought with them inflation, drugs, and a reputation that the local Muslim elders disapproved of. Yet, the resentment towards foreign fishing vessels remains strong among the fishermen. They accuse these boats of stealing their livelihoods, often resorting to violence to defend their rights. 'Ships came and took all our equipment and belongings,' said Farah, one of the fishermen-turned-pirates. He and his friend Diiriye invested around $10,000 in a fishing venture, only to have their nets stolen by a foreign trawler. This sense of injustice has driven them to piracy as a means of survival.

The situation has escalated, with reports of pirate attacks resuming in 2023 after a period of dormancy. The European Union’s naval force, Operation Atalanta, reported 26 pirate attacks between 2013 and 2019, but none from 2020 to 2022. This year, however, there have already been six attacks, with the number rising to 22 by December. While not all attacks result in successful hijackings, the potential for profit is significant. Pirates have been known to receive substantial ransoms for the release of hijacked vessels. The fishermen-turned-pirates are not alone in their actions; they are part of a larger network of gangs operating in the region, often funded by local businessmen. The fishermen believe that their only option for survival is to hijack ships for ransom, as fishing no longer provides enough income to support their families.