Piracy in Somalia: A Result of Greed and Neglect

Somali piracy originated due to the illegal dumping of toxic waste (including nuclear waste) in the waters near Somalian fishing villages by white-collar criminals from Europe. The toxic waste contaminated the fishing waters, causing the death of the fish and leading to health issues such as miscarriages, stillbirths, and birth defects in the local population. Tired of the situation, some fishermen took matters into their own hands by taking the crew of the waste-dumping boats hostage and demanding reparations. The success of these actions led to the proliferation of pirate crews, as individuals from militias and warlords saw an opportunity for financial gain. White-collar criminals in Europe soon realized that sponsoring pirate crews could result in significant profits, leading to most pirate crews being directed by European sponsors based on intelligence provided to them. The birth of Somali piracy was a result of a combination of greed, environmental destruction, and a lack of protection for the vulnerable fishing communities.