Sea piracy has fallen to its lowest level worldwide since 2008 , as policing by international naval forces has deterred pirates operating in the waters off Somalia , new figures from the piracy watchdog show . The International Maritime Bureau ( IMB ) said there were 233 actual and attempted attacks on vessels globally in the first nine months of 2012 , compared with 352 in the corresponding period last year . The number of attacks by Somali pirates has fallen dramatically , with 70 attacks by the end of September , down from 199 in the same time frame in 2011 and the lowest number since 2009 , according to the report , which was released on Monday . How to fight piracy . Pottengal Mukundan , director of the IMB , said the decline was a reflection of the pre-emptive and disruptive counter-piracy tactics used by international navies , as well as deployment of on-board security measures like armed guards . `` It 's good news that hijackings are down , but there can be no room for complacency ; these waters are still extremely high-risk and the naval presence must be maintained , '' he said . The European Union , NATO and a multi-national naval force called Combined Task Force 151 have conducted anti-piracy missions in the Gulf of Aden and off the coast of Somalia since 2009 . `` There is no alternative to their continued presence as long as Somali pirates threaten major trade routes in this region , '' Mukundan added . Worldwide , pirates have killed six and taken 448 crew hostage in 2012 , according to the report . It noted piracy had increased in West Africa , off the coasts of Nigeria , Benin and Togo . Pirates hijack Greek-operated tanker off Togo coast . Attacks there were often violent and targeted tankers carrying refined oil products that can be easily sold , it added . `` There continues to be a serious problem with under-reporting of attacks in this area , '' Mukundan said . `` This may be because of a fear of reprisals or a feeling that little will change as a result . '' In Asia , the waters off Indonesia were most prone to pirate attacks , with 51 incidents , up from 30 in 2011 . The report said the attacks were usually opportunistic and targeted ships at anchor .
Worldwide pirate attacks at lowest level since 2008 . Decline due to a steep drop in piracy off coast of Somalia . Watchdog warns now is not time to be complacent . Score: 6