| ID | 148062 |
| Title Proper | Anti-piracy in a sea of predation |
| Other Title Information | the interaction of navies, fishermen and pirates off the coast of Somalia |
| Language | ENG |
| Author | Westberg, Andreas Bruvik |
| Summary / Abstract (Note) | How do anti-piracy forces engage with the coast of Somalia? Several studies have criticised the navies for being ineffective and stumbling in their fight against pirates and in their engagement with local communities. Somali sentiments are reportedly coloured by considerable scepticism towards the international naval effort, not least due to a feeling of double standards towards foreign trawlers seen plundering the country's resources. This study investigates the naval–coastal nexus along the Somali coast by drawing on field research off- and onshore. It finds that anti-piracy forces’ presence have had a considerable impact on the decline in piracy. Moreover, naval–coastal engagement and cooperation run deeper than is commonly perceived. While grievances against illegal fishing are widespread, examination of the fishing sector reveals a significant amount of predation committed by local stakeholders. Competition for fishing sector rents, particularly over distribution of licences, occurs on the local, regional and national levels. Bonds between some pirates, smugglers and officials threaten coastal community development and undermine their security. This study concludes that Somalia's maritime predatory trap can only be broken when former pirate villages are engaged as equal partners in the regional blue economy. |
| `In' analytical Note | Journal of The Indian Ocean Region Vol. 12, No.2; Dec 2016: p.209-226 |
| Journal Source | Journal of The Indian Ocean Region Vol: 12 No 2 |
| Key Words | Piracy ; Somalia ; Western Indian Ocean ; IUU Fishing ; Maritime Predation |