Page 16: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (April 2021)

Government Update

Gulf of Guinea Approach

Incidents of piracy and attacks on merchant vessels in waters of the Gulf of Guinea are endemic. There are multiple factors at play, including but not limited to: poverty, lim- ited government presence in coastal communities, minimal maritime law enforcement capability among coastal states, and corruption. ncidents of piracy and attacks on merchant vessels in wa- For a variety of reasons, the coastal states have not devoted ters of the Gulf of Guinea are endemic. There are mul- suf? cient resources to address the problem.

tiple factors at play, including but not limited to: poverty, Various proposals have been suggested for addressing this

Ilimited government presence in coastal communities, problem. All have failed for different reasons. I humbly rec- minimal maritime law enforcement capability among coastal ommend a comprehensive approach.

states, and corruption. Some foreign nations, primarily Euro- A United Nations-administered fund should be established pean, conduct patrols outside the 12 nautical mile territorial to pay for resources, personnel, and training to maritime law seas, but far too few to make a signi? cant dent in the problem, enforcement agencies in each of the Gulf of Guinea coastal and with no authority to operate closer to shore, where most states. In exchange, those coastal states should authorize for- of the attacks occur or where the attackers ? ee upon law en- eign nations to enforce coastal state law against violators op- forcement arrival. erating in coastal state waters and to pursue pirates into the

The Gulf of Guinea coastal states jealousy cling to their territorial seas for acts perpetrated on the high seas. sovereignty but are unable to effectively address the problem. States with ships operating in waters of the Gulf of Guinea

Cooperation among the coastal states has proven ineffective. would be motivated to contribute to such a fund, as would © boldg/AdobeStock © remipiotrowski/AdobeStock 16 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News • April 2021

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