The ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre posted a Special Report on fishing activities off the southwest coast of India. With pirate attacks occurring more frequently in the central portion of the western Indian Ocean, merchant vessels are increasingly transiting closer to the southwest coast of India.
This has resulted in more encounters between merchant vessels and local fishing vessels. If a fishing vessel believes that a merchant vessel is transgressing its fishing gear, the fishing vessel may sail toward the merchant vessel and sound the alarm.
If persons on the merchant vessel mistake the fishing vessel’s approach as a pirate attack, unfortunate consequences may ensue. A better understanding of the local fishing practices and procedures may reduce the number and seriousness of these encounters.
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Source: ReCAAP