A website on Somalia news has reported that an author of books on surfing culture has been abducted by pirates interested in ransom. A State Dept. news briefing says that "with regard to a U.S. citizen reportedly kidnapped in northern Somalia, another one, we are concerned about this individual’s safety and well-being. We have been in contact with the individual’s family. We are also working with our contacts in Kenya and in Somalia to try to get more information. Obviously, we condemn kidnapping of any kind and call for the immediate release of the victims – any victims."

At the request of friends and the advice of government officials, we will report limited information, including the author's name, until more is known.