Pirates and toxic waste
Friday, 11 April 2008 09:34
S. Avetian
Before 1990, Somalia had an excellently developed fishing industry. The government set up fixed prices for each catch and supported the export of fish. As a result the fishermen were able to make a living and maintain their families. The government and western donors also helped the Somali fishermen to maintain their ships and improve their living standards. After 1990, the income out of fishing decreased due to the Somali Civil War. The central government collapsed; there was no government support and no protection. Fishermen from other countries came to Somali waters and fished out the region. This led to the decay of the fish stock. The Somali fishermen were not able to protect their waters. According to the Marine Resources Assessment Group (MRAG) from the United Kingdom, the Somali waters are being stripped by foreign fishers with an estimated €73 million worth of fish every year. The second problem for the Somali fisherman is the pollution of their waters. According to the United Nations, European companies dump toxic waste in the Somali waters. It is very cheap to get rid of toxic waste in Somalia. It costs only €2 a ton where correct disposal in Europe costs at least €200 a ton. The illegal fishing and toxic waste dumping, together with the collapse of the central government in Somalia are the main causes of the Somali fishermen becoming pirates. "The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence". The saying is used sardonically to point out that there is a appeal in us all to insist that others are more fortunate than we are. Somali pirates are neither evil nor insane, they only want to make a living. Some anarchists believe that the world operates by what they call "the rule of the jungle". The rule of the jungle is reality in the Gulf of Aden. The Gulf of Aden is a very important waterway, especially for the Persian Gulf, making it an indispensable waterway in the world economy. The Gulf of Aden is not the only place where the rule of the jungle is reality. The pirates are now expanding their operations outside the Gulf of Aden to the Indian Ocean. The Indian Ocean is too large for effective patrols. The Somali piracy is a big threat for the world economy and the issue is exceedingly complex. To solve this problem the European Union must act against illegal fishing in Somalia and the Indian Ocean. Illegal fishing is the main cause of the Somali piracy. Somalia is one of the poorest countries in the world and fishing is the main source of income for the population. To stop the illegal dumping of toxic waste and the creation of a central government in Somalia, the help of the entire world is needed.
Last Updated ( Saturday, 06 June 2009 17:43 )
