Pirates seize Spanish fishing vessel

Somali pirates are reported to have hijacked the Spanish tuna fishing vessel Alakrana at the weekend, midway between the Seychelles and the Somali port of Kismayo. The ship, which had 36 crew on board, was 400 miles offshore. While ships of the EU naval force patrolling the Somali coast provide overflights and assistance to fishing vessels, fishing boats remain at high risk of piracy. Illegal fishing in Somali waters has been a contentious issue in Somalia for many years, although the Alakrana was well outside the war-torn country's EEZ when it was taken.