Canberra, July 16 (ANI): Environment scientists are seeking the help of the United States and Australia to help fight Somali pirates who are threatening key climate monitoring programmes in the Indian ocean.
With about a quarter of the Indian Ocean currently off-limits to marine experts, scientists hope to deploy about 20 robotic instruments in a no-go area north of Mauritius.
More than 30 nations are involved in the multi-million pound Argo project, in which 3,000 robotic instruments provide data on the heat and saltiness of the world's oceans, The Independent reports.
But, the programmes are facing threats after a flare up in the attacks on vessels by Somali pirates in the past few months.
"We can't send anybody in that area, research voyages have been cancelled and I know there's a report of at least one ship that hired an armed escort - that's pretty extreme when you're talking about climate change." Flagship scientist, Dr Ann Thresher was quoted, as saying by the paper.
According to the International Maritime Bureau, 163 of 266 attacks reported globally in the first half of this year, were carried out by Somali pirates in the Indian Ocean. This was an increase of 100 on the same period last year.
The climate-monitoring Programme will help scientists forecast weather patterns across the Indian Ocean. (ANI)
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