Between 2000 and 2013, 2,919 seafarers were held hostage by Somali pirates in inhumane conditions, in some instances for years. Many of those held hostage continue to deal with the lasting physical, economic, and emotional impacts years after the conclusion of their experience, preventing some from ever returning to work as seafarers.
The numbers of new attacks have been in decline, but much work remains. Already this year, two Iranian fishing vessels with 48 sailors on board were captured and have yet to be released, the 26 crew of the fishing vessel Naham-3 remain in captivity over three years after the initial hijacking, and many local seafarers and fishermen continue to be victims of violent maritime crime.
