KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia –  A global maritime watchdog says sea piracy worldwide surged 36 percent to 266 attacks in the first half this year as Somali pirates took higher risks and raided more vessels.

The International Maritime Bureau says 61 percent, or 163 of the global attacks, were by Somali pirates largely in the Arabian Sea area. It says pirates fired on ships in rough seas in the Indian Ocean last month, attacking for the first time during the monsoon season.

However, the IMB says Somali pirates hijacked only 21 ships, compared to 27 in the same period last year, thanks to increased ship vigilance and international naval patrols.

It called Thursday for the naval presence to be sustained or increased as Somali pirates still have 20 vessels and 420 crew members in hand.