"What EU NAVFOR would like to see, and probably other commanders in the area, would be for all regional players now to take this threat seriously and all regional players in the area to join us in fighting this scourge, this criminal activity," Harbour adds.

Somali pirates are blamed for seizing more than 20 vessels since the beginning of last month and are holding more than 200 crew members hostage.

Piracy is a lucrative, albeit dangerous, business. Shipping companies are known to pay hundreds of thousands – and sometimes millions – of dollars in ransom for the release of their crews and vessels.

The Seafarers' Assistance Program estimates there are 1,500 active pirates working for seven major syndicates in the waters between India and Africa. The group says the pirates' missions are financed by criminals in a number of countries besides Somalia, including Lebanon, Kenya and the United Arab Emirates.