Impact of piracy on fisheries in the lndian Ocean

Abstract

Piracy in the Indian Ocean has become a critical issue during the last decade, with impacts on the economics of the countries bordering Indian Ocean, regional research activities, livelihoods including fisheries and food security in the region. It has severely impacted the fishery sector, and affected the tuna fishing industry, which is the major source of income for the northern Indian Ocean Rim countries and the Island States. The maritime piracy, spreading outwards in the Western Indian Ocean has been attributed as a response to poverty, unemployment, adverse climatic changes, low income, reduction of marine resources due to draught, volatile security and political situation and poor governance structure.