The Felipe Ruanopurse seiner. (Photo: Tuna Seiners)

Ministers approve grants for private security onboard tuna vessels

SPAIN
Monday, October 11, 2010, 22:10 (GMT + 9)

The Council of Ministers have adopted a exceptional decree that will offer grants to those hiring private security for use on Spanish tuna freezer vessels operating in the Indian Ocean, to repel the repeated attacks by Somali pirates.

The text was submitted by the head of the Ministry of Environment and Rural and Marine Affairs (MARM), Elena Espinosa.

The Spanish Government considers it necessary to deal with piracy in the Indian waters in order for fishing fleets to be able to carry out their tasks in a smooth and safe manner.

Currently, 17 Spanish vessels are fishing in the zone: the Alakrana, Albacan, Albacora cuatro, Albatun dos, Campo Libre Alai, Elai Alai, Felipe Ruano, Izurdia, Playa de Anzoras, Playa de Aritzatxu, Txori Argi, Txori Gorri, Txori Toki, which are supported by the Alakrantxu, Ortube Berria, Archanda and Taraska.

The grant will pay for a maximum of 25 per cent of the total cost of the contracted services, with a limit of EUR 1.9 million, which will be charged to the MARM expenditure budget for both 2010 and 2011.

That is, in 2010, EUR 1,080,000 will be used, whilst next year it will be EUR 841,375.

"The amount of the grant is intended to cover the costs for the procurement of private security personnel, except for travel costs, travel, weapons and ammunition," explained the MARM.

The aid can be recieved for a maximum duration of 12 months, in a retroactive sense, counting from November 2009 until January 2011.

In late September, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Spain, Miguel Angel Moratinos, announced that the Spanish government plans to launch "a new fisheries cooperation" with Somalia to recover the sector and transform the pirates operating in the Indian ocean into fishermen.

For the Spanish Minister, it is essential that the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia strengthens its "stability" in general.

Related articles:

- Spanish strategy: turn pirates into fishermen
- Private security agents protect tuna vessels

By Analia Murias
[email protected]
www.seafood.media

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