Kate Boyer: Is the issue of piracy fading?

Arnel Balbero, one of the 26 released hostages, tells his story about being held captive for four and a half  years by Somali pirates, one of the longest times the pirates have ever held people captive. Balbero was part of a Taiwanese fishing vessel with a crew of 29 men, and in march of 2012, the ship was attacked by a group of Somali pirates. 3 of the men died including the captain of the vessel throughout the time span of their captivity. Since then, the number of recorded piracy attacks have significantly reduced, and there hasn't been a successful attack on a large ship since. Many people near the Somalia haven't allowed men to fish on commercial ships in fear of them being captured. This creates a very big problem, considering the fact that the fishing industry brings in the majority of the income. 

I think this is terrifying and feel so bad for the people and their families who had to endure this terrible experience. I knew that pirates were still around today, but I had no clue it was to this extent. It is, however, good that no attacks have happened for nearly 5 years.

http://www.cnn.com/2016/10/26/africa/somali-pirates-released-survivor/index.html