Somali Pirates, the toxic waste reason for getting even

They have become the scourge of the Gulf of Aden, quite literally, the busiest shipping lane in the world. Hijacking ships, kidnapping crews, and demanding huge ransoms, they usually get it. These pirates were a mere news item to Americans, and just some band of lawless scoundrels on the other side of the world, until they decided to hijack an American ship. Suddenly, America got an up close and personal look at exactly what was going on off the coast of Somalia.

In case you don’t follow the news, the hijack was thwarted when the Navy Seals shot the pirates while holding the captain of the ship for ransom. We Americans let out a big sigh of relief, all was well and good, the Navy Seals were heroes, and we even captured one of the pirates who is set to go on trial in the States.

Well, just when you might start to think that these are all useless bad guys, here is some sobering news about these pirates, most of whom used to be fisherman. Like I said, most used to be fisherman, and the reason they aren’t fisherman anymore is because certain non-American countries began dumping toxic waste into the waters off Somalia, as well as send commercial fishing vessels out there for anything that was left.

These Somali fisherman were sustenance fisherman who sold the excess catch they had for extra money. Once the toxic waste polluted coastal waters, and then the commercial fishing began out farther from shore, the fisherman were literally robbed of their livelihood. And because the government in Somalia is in such disarray, there has been no protest, no sanctions, no nothing to help the fisherman in Somalia.

They felt that they only had one option left: piracy. And now armed with AK-47s, rocket propelled grenades and GPS units, they are getting even. At least in their eyes anyway.

So, what’s to make of all this? A bunch of brigands roaming the high seas, hi-jacking ships for millions of dollars, kidnapping crews, getting the ransom and then laughing all the way to the bank? Or desperate would-be fisherman, whose only means of support had come from the sea. But with their shores being spoiled by others, toxic waste washing up on their beaches, and their way to make a living no longer viable, then living in one of the poorest countries on earth, what is left for them to do?

Piracy. It pays well, and up until a couple of instances with the French and the US rescuing hi-jacked crews while killing the pirates, there were no deaths or injuries. Yes, warlords on shore direct most of these attacks and take a cut of the ransom money too, so it isn’t as clean cut as I have made it, but the fact remains that most of these pirates were fishermen at one time, and they can no longer make an honest living.

So next time we here about a pirate hi-jacking in the Gulf of Aden, and before we go damning the pirates, just remember that it’s not as black and white as it seems. That I agree with it, absolutely not. No one should force their will over anyone for any reason. But can I sympathize with the pirates, yes in some ways I can, and remember one thing. Not once has any harm come to those people that have been kidnapped and actually held for ransom, so far at least.

It’s certainly not the right way to go about living your life, but for the Somali fisherman that have turned into pirates, it’s the only way right now.

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