In a quiet coastal town in Puntland, two Somali fishermen explain their decision to turn to piracy after years of struggling to survive from fishing. They recount how foreign fishing trawlers have taken away their livelihood, leading them to hijack vessels in search of ransom money.
The men, who requested anonymity for safety reasons, describe a harsh reality where their fishing equipment was stolen, and even relatives were murdered at sea. After these losses, they resorted to piracy, hoping to earn enough to support their families.
Eyl, once known as the Pirate Capital of Somalia, has seen a drastic shift since international naval forces began patrolling the waters. The town was notorious for being a base for pirates who hijacked container ships and oil tankers, earning millions of dollars in ransoms between 2005 and 2012. However, after increased naval presence and local law enforcement, piracy declined.
Yet, resentment against foreign fishing fleets remains strong in Eyl, where many fishermen accuse foreign trawlers of looting their catches and damaging their livelihoods. According to the two men, they are not alone in this decision. Pirate activity has increased in recent years, with several gangs operating off the coast, seeking to hijack ships for ransom payments. While most attacks fail, successful ones can yield large rewards.
The fishermen explain their methods, including using small speedboats and RPGs to stop ships. However, the resources needed to carry out such attacks require financial backing, and they turn to investors who fund their operations in exchange for a share of any ransom money.
Despite knowing that piracy is wrong, the fishermen explain they feel forced into it, as the sea no longer provides a steady income. The town’s elders, however, hope to steer young people away from piracy by focusing on creating jobs and providing better opportunities.
For many in the town, piracy remains a painful legacy of the past, leaving behind social issues like drug abuse and alcohol consumption. While piracy may have once brought money, its long-term effects on the community are now widely condemned, and local authorities are focused on preventing a resurgence.