The Somali piracy is said to have been started by fishermen who no longer could make a living from the fish.

They have been supplanted by professional pirates who are much more difficult to deal with. Attacks are taking place 300-500 miles off the coast, in a one million sq. mi. sea.
Once pirates have boarded, there is the fear that if their demands are not met, the crew is at risk and the ship might be scuttled.
A Maersk container ship (over 600 belong to that company) costs many millions to build, and its cargo is worth many millions.

The crews are technically trained professionals, but are not trained in defense, nor should they be. Their job is care of the ship and its cargo.
As Charlie notes, it is lucky that no hostages have lost their lives.

Not every ship can be escorted, and it is impossible to put a trained defense unit aboard each vessel.

Perhaps a convoy system would reduce the frequency of attacks. But I can forsee a pirate ship threatening to launch a 'fish' if demands are not met, and other escalations since so much money is involved. Charlie has mentioned the use of pirate mother ships, which can be fitted out to do a lot of damage.

No easy solutions. A difficult situation that is going to take a long time to correct and improve.