Pirates! (4 real)

nadekuk mentioned in the comments to previous post that Seychelles' waters are frontline of the war with Somalia's pirates. However for now it is all limited to hijacking ships with small crew - fishing, cargo, all for ransom.

Somali and Mogadishu are not too far from Seychelles - closer even then Reunion. We met there plenty of tourists from Reunion, but nobody from Somalia. Why pirates don't attack the shores? The country is rich (especially when comparing to Somalia), plenty of well-off tourists, no coast defense systems.



Previously famous pirates bases like Tortuga, Berbers were notorious for attacking nearby inhabited and wealthy shores, plundering and taking hostages. It made places like Costa Rica create a monstrous and expensive coastal defense. It was difficult for pirates to successfully attack, but some times they managed.

The reasons it is safe on Seychelles (and elsewhere) is I think simple: previously the wealth/assets was more liquid. Now real value is either in form of bits in a computer or shares/securities. The slave market is also not so widespread.

When Morgan plundered Panama what did he took? Silver, gold and prisoners. Captured cargo of spices or silk could be outrageously expensive and easy to sell.

Now they can only get ransom from ships' owner/insurer, and that is it! If pirates would capture a remote Seychelles island, what will they take?? Cash from tourists pocket?!