After the many incidents caused by pirates, especially in the waters off the coast of Somalia, France and the US have decided on a new UN Security Council resolution that would increase the authority for all states and enable them to chase and seize pirates when they flee into territorial waters. The outcome could mean an increase in patrols.

The resolution seems to come at the right time, as the number of attacks on fishing boats, cargo ships and yachts has risen to alarming numbers.

Some actions have already been taken and seven pirates are already in custody in Somalia’s Puntland region. The whole crew faces the death penalty, but the verdict would be a first in the area. Another six have also been caught and are expecting their sentence in France. The capital punishment was abolished in 1981 and the pirates are expected to get off lighter. The authorities were considering turning the suspects over but asked for guarantees that they would not be executed.

Many countries feel the pressure and are embracing the new plans for an improved control. The pirates also keep upgrading their equipment and strategies, using speedboats equipped with satellite phones, Global Positioning Systems, automatic weapons, anti-tank rocket launchers and grenades. They are also well trained and have a good knowledge of vessels.

"The international community must respond and set up a rotating mechanism to control and keep watch with our naval forces so as to guarantee the security and protection of all those who fish or sail through that zone," Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos said as his country awaited word on its hijacked tuna boat.