Guyana taking on pirates

Guyana is acting to defend its fishermen from pirates, as set out here:

Pirate attacks along Guyana's rivers and Atlantic coast have prompted the South American country to set up an emergency radio network for boaters and place special markings on engines to track stolen equipment, officials said Friday.

Fishermen outraged by more than two dozen raids reported in the last two months met this week with Cabinet ministers to complain that armed sea bandits have stolen catches of fish and shrimp and even small vessels.

Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud said the new measures should reduce attacks and help police track the pirates, some of whom are believed to flee into neighboring Venezuela or Suriname.