President Obama: "We remain resolved to halt the rise of piracy in this region."

Although Captain Phillips' recent ordeal with Somali Pirates captured the nation's attention, this is hardly the first instance of piracy on the high seas in recent years. The International Maritime Bureau reports that in 2008, piracy resulted in 889 crew members being taken hostage, 32 crew members being injured and 11 crew members being killed.

In a Sunday statement, President Obama highlighted the rise of piracy in the region and asked the international community to work with the United States to combat the threat, saying, "We remain resolved to halt the rise of piracy in this region. To achieve that goal, we must continue to work with our partners to prevent future attacks, be prepared to interdict acts of piracy and ensure that those who commit acts of piracy are held accountable for their crimes."