Patrol vessel ‘Infanta Cristina’ was patrolling in vicinity of Somali coast when detected several skiffs sailing off the coast in vicinity of the former Pirate camp named Woostock. They carried out a total of five Friendly Approaches.

After visual identification prior to the Friendly Approaches, ESPS Infanta Cristina confirmed that the Somali Skiffs did not have tripwires on board and did not detect any suspicious piracy activity. Thus, the Spanish CO decided to conduct a Friendly Approach to show naval presence and to gather information about their pattern of life.

The main part of the Somali skiffs crew members were Somali non full time fishermen, who usually come from the countryside and live in very poor conditions on camps close to the beach.

While fishing, they use artisanal gears. Thence, they fish only non-high value captures. This captures are immediately salted and stored under tarpaulins. If they are lucky they later will sell the captures to independent traders coming from Mogadishu. The revenue of the fishes gotten is less than a dollar per kilo. This shows that the Somali conflict still do not allow the development of a fishery industry in this east coast of Somalia.

Friendly approaches increase mutual understanding between the EU Naval Forces and local seafarers. They have good image of the military operating in the area that defend the interests of fishing vessel against piracy and illegal activities.

During the friendly approach, the Boarding Team gave the Somali seafarers assistance providing them with food and water to combat the extremely hot and humid weather. ESPS Infanta Cristina continues with their patrol mission off the coast of Somalia monitoring fishing vessels and conducting friendly approaches to reinforce the trust and understanding between the Somali population and the EUNAVFOR units.