Raw video : European Union (EU) anti-piracy naval mission patrolling off the coast of Somalia have seized a pirate vessel in the Gulf of Aden and detained seven pirate suspects, the mission said Monday.

A German naval tanker, that is currently attached to the EU anti-piracy ATALANTA mission, was attacked 85 miles north of the northern Somali port of Bosaso Sunday afternoon, the Maritime Security Center for the Horn of Africa said in a statement on its website.

The German warship returned fire and chased the attacking skiff with helicopter support from nearby Dutch and Spanish warships.

A Greek warship belonging to the ATALANTA mission detained the pirate vessel. The seven suspected pirates were taken into German custody on board a German frigate early Monday morning, the statement said.

A decision regarding the venue of their trial will be taken later today, it added.

Earlier this month, the German navy arrested nine pirates in the Gulf of Aden who were attempting to hijack a container ship, according to press reports.

Last week two European-owned chemical tankers were captured by Somali pirates. Last year, Somali pirates attacked at least 130 merchant vessels, an increase of more than 200 percent over 2007.

The European Union launched the ATALANTA mission last December to crack down on piracy and armed robbery off the Somali coast. Eight frigates and two aircraft are currently participating in the ATALANTA operation.