PRINCE Charles caused a storm after he claimed gangs of killer pirates had proved "fantastic” for fish stocks.

Charles, 68, said the thugs’ activities off Somalia had boosted marine life as trawlercrews were too scared to fish in the waters where scores of ships have been hijacked.

He told Sky News: "As a result, there hasn’t been any fishing there for the last ten or 15 years. And from that there has been a fantastic explosion of bigger and bigger fish.”

The prince spoke out after delivering the keynote speech at an ocean conservation conference in Malta, where he also returned a rehabilitated turtle to the sea.

But critics last night blasted his comments about Somalia, where five Brits have been captured by pirates who have carried out 103 attacks on vessels since 2012.

Maritime stats show pirates have taken 1,753 people hostage worldwide and killed 12.

Ex-SAS trooper and anti-piracy expert Phil Campion said: "These are nasty gangs doing extreme harm, not worrying about life.

"There’s a few extra fish. Compare that to people’s lives lost, it’s insensitive. If Charles thought about it he’d have a change of heart.”

Ex-soldier Stephen Beardsley, who faced pi­r­ates in the Indian Ocean, said: "They aren’t friendly, never mind environmentally friendly.”

Prince Charles has been called insensitive as five Brits have been captured by pirates in recent years

Source-www.thesun.co.uk