2014届高考英语考前突破阅读理解能力：国际时事要闻《海盗活动显著下降》.docVIP

海盗活动显著下降 Piracy at sea is at its lowest level in six years, with 264 attacks recorded - a 40% drop since Somali piracy peaked in 2011, a maritime watchdog has said. 一家海事监管机构称，海盗活动达到近六年来的最低点，有记录的袭击次数为264——这比2011年索马里海盗鼎盛时期下降40%。 ?There were only 15 incidents off Somalia last year, the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) said. ? This is down from 75 in 2012, and 237 in 2011, its records show. ? Armed guards on ships, international navy patrols and the stabilising influence of Somalias government had helped deter pirates, the IMB said. ? The single biggest reason for the drop in worldwide piracy is the decrease in Somali piracy off the coast of East Africa, Pottengal Mukundan, IMBs director, said in a statement. ? It is imperative to continue combined international efforts to tackle Somali piracy. Any complacency at this stage could re-kindle pirate activity, he said. ? IMBs annual global piracy report said more than 300 people were taken hostage at sea in 2013 and 21 were injured, nearly all with guns or knives.? ? Indonesia saw the most pirate attacks last year, accounting for more than 50% of all incidents.? ? But the report said they were low-level opportunistic thefts, not to be compared with the more serious incidents off Africa. ? Piracy off West Africa made up 19% of attacks worldwide last year, the report said. ? Nigerian pirates, who accounted for 31 of the regions 51 attacks, were particularly violent, killing one crew member, and kidnapping 36 people to hold onshore for ransom, the IMB said. ? In November, a UN and World Bank report said pirates operating off the Horn of Africa, which are some of the worlds busiest shipping and humanitarian aid routes, had netted more than $400m in ransom money between 2005 and 2012.