The isolated Atlantic outcrop is in the news after the Scottish government warned Ireland it will send its fisheries patrol vessels to force Irish fishing boats to leave a 12-mile (19km) zone around the tiny disputed island. “I now forward an account of the second return here of Captains Rhodes and Gardener from the new fishing ground at Rockall,” wrote J Dawson, MD. In the most recent chapter in the history of Rockall, Scottish external affairs minister Fiona Hyslop warned the Irish Government that it will deploy its vessels to protect Scottish fishing rights around Rockall. Irish vessels have operated unhindered in the Rockall zone for many decades fishing haddock, squid and other species.”Tánaiste Simon Coveney said it was the longstanding position of the Government is that Irish vessels are entitled to access the waters around Rockall. The island also has the distinction of having inspired a rousing republican anthem, Rock on Rockall, by the Wolfe Tones.

Source: The Irish Times June 08, 2019 13:52 UTC