In previous years, the symposium has tended to tackle issues such as counterfeiting, smuggling and piracy on the high seas.

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Piracy on the high seas has been a military issue for the United States since the founding of the Republic.

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Name a pressing global issue, and you will find the U.S. pressing China to get involved: from combating terrorism and nuclear proliferation to dealing with climate change to stopping piracy on the high seas.

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The International Maritime Organization (IMO) marked its annual World Maritime Day celebration today with a collective call-to-action to the United Nations, world governments, military forces and even shipowners and crews reminding them that they all play an integral role in helping rid the world of modern-day piracy on the high seas, especially off the coast of Somalia and Indian Ocean.

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In some cases, the British government actually commissioned seamen to commit acts of piracy, but with one catch: They were charged to prey only upon Spaniards, British rivals on the high seas and in the New World, and turn over a large portion of the stolen loot to the government.

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