EU captures eight suspected pirates

  1. Posted on Monday 26 April 2010 - 10:35
    Muhyadin
    Muhyadin Ahmed Roble, AfricaNews reporter in Nairobi, Kenya
    A Spanish navy seized eight suspected pirates off the coast of Somalia, Spain Defence ministry said. The Spanish frigate Victoria which forms part of EU anti-piracy mission held a whaleboat and various skiffs, on which the ministry said arms and other materials suitable for use in pirate attacks were discovered.
    pirates
    The ministry said in a statement that the Spanish navy destroyed the whaler and took its eight crew members on a skiff toward the Somali coast.

    The Spanish defence ministry also European defense ministries agreed on Sunday to extend their anti-piracy mission in the area beyond 2010.

    Somali pirates, who have made over $60 million for a ransom, only last year, have reportedly claimed to be acting as "coastguards" protecting their waters from illegal fishing and dumping of toxic waste.

    Somalia waters have huge numbers of commercial fish species, including the prized yellow fin tuna.

    Foreign ships reportedly use prohibited fishing equipment, including nets with very small mesh sizes and sophisticated underwater lighting systems, to lure fish to their traps.

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