UKMTO Weekly Piracy Report

1. It is not uncommon in the Southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, particularly towards the eastern end of the Internationally Recognised Transit Corridor (IRTC), to see large groups of fishermen, (>5+) operating together.

Their behaviour can appear erratic and unsettling, sometimes resulting in close approaches. There are a number of reasons why local fishermen manoeuvre at high speed such as to follow pods of dolphins or shoals of fish, or to protect nets. Large groups of boats are known to have followed in a vessel’s wake as this disturbs nutrients in the water which attract fish.

Further information is available on the NATO Shipping Centre Web-Site.

As the SW Monsoon abates it is highly likely this type of fishing activity will increase, masters are requested to be aware of it and to remain vigilant, reporting anything considered suspicious or threatening to UKMTO.

Download full report here