A warning from the Scottish government that it will take action against Irish fishing vessels that fish in the area around Rockall, a disputed island off the Co Donegal coast, came as a “bombshell” to Irish fishermen, the chief executive of Killybegs Fisheries Organisation has said. The Irish Government, which contests the Scottish claim on Rockall and also its claim of exclusive fishing rights, has condemned the move. Minister for Agriculture and the Marine Michael Creed briefed fishing industry representatives, including Mr O’Donoghue, about the impending Scottish action on Friday. We were absolutely shocked when the Minister announced to us that the Scottish authorities declared that they were going to enforce an exclusive zone around Rockall. The diplomatic dispute has been festering for months, with the Scottish government intensifying its complaints to Dublin about what it says is illegal fishing activity by Irish vessels around Rockall.

Source: The Irish Times June 08, 2019 17:48 UTC