Piracy attacks in Asia drop in early 2007

Reported here:

A total of 43 piracy attacks and armed robbery in Asia were reported in the first half of this year, a sharp decline from those in the same period of the previous two years, the Information Sharing Center for a regional agreement against piracy said on Thursday.

There were 79 incidents reported in the first half year of 2006 and 75 in 2005.

The Governing Council of the Information Sharing Center of the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP ISC) released the figures at a special meeting held here to review the center's activities and development in its first six months of operations.

The Council recognized that efforts to combat piracy and armed robbery against ships need to continue, despite the general decrease of the piracy incidents.

"The Council thus reaffirmed its resolve to make the ReCAAP a key pillar in efforts against piracy and armed robbery in Asia," the Council said in a statement.

I wonder if reporting of incidents is also down?