18/05/2016 (Agence Europe) - New Atalanta commander. On 18 May 2016, the Political and Security Committee (COPS) appointed Robert Magowan as Operation Commander for the EU Naval Force Somalia - EU NAVFOR Operation Atalanta. Brigadier Magowan, an officer from the British Royal Marines, is expected to take up his duties on 3 June 2016, replacing Major General Martin Smith of the UK, who was appointed to the post on 29 August 2014. Operation Atalanta was launched in December 2008 to contribute to the deterrence, prevention and repression of acts of piracy and armed robbery off the Somali coast, says the Council in its press release. The operation also protects vessels of the World Food Programme and other vulnerable shipping, monitors fishing activities off the coast of Somalia and supports other EU and international missions in the region, the press release goes on to state. (CG)