In August of 2007 Smithsonian published an article on piracy noting that Julius Caeser was kidnapped & ransomed (for 50 talents) by pirates. JC then organized an expedition, caught the pirates, and had them crucified.

The article notes that in 2006 239 major pirate attacks occurred, 188 crewman take hostage with 15 of those getting killed. 9 in Asia, 4 in Africa, and 1 each in the Middle East & South America.

The article relies heavily on an agency entitled The Piracy Reporting Center headquartered in Kuala Lumpur.

The article does not talk a lot about prevention. Noting a cruise ship used a sonic weapon to deter attackers and telling the tale of a USN Cruiser pursuing and capturing pirates (and turning them over to Kenya for trial).