Transnational organised crime at sea as a threat to the sustainable development goals: Taking direction from piracy and counter-piracy in the Western Indian Ocean

Malcolm asserts that '[t]he relationship between sustainable development and maritime security thinking and practice should be explored in greater detail if the global community is to meet the sustainable development goals'. This article considers the impact of transnational organised crime at sea on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by demonstrating how selected goals are affected by illicit activities at sea. The nexus between maritime security and development, both on land and at sea, is then demonstrated by the case study of Somali piracy. The response to Somali piracy is then used to illustrate how a multi-actor response to achieve security in the maritime domain can contribute to the sustainable use of the oceans, thereby promoting development and security on land and at sea. Finally, the paper concludes that such a response will be most effective if it is guided by the SDGs and rooted especially in SDG 16 aimed at establishing peace, justice and strong institutions and SDG 17, forming partnerships in doing so.