As new rules come into effect, an Irish fishing vessel has been boarded and told to leave British waters.
BREAKING: Fresh dispute over #Rockall after Scottish patrol boat blocks County Donegal fishing vessel from entering its waters, with skipper told it’s result of #Brexit Full story coming up on @rtenews @franmcnulty @seanwhelanRTE @tconnellyRTE pic.twitter.com/UToqjUpGyI
— Vincent Kearney (@vincekearney) January 5, 2021
This interception took place off the shores of Rockall in the North Atlantic. The Irish vessel was boarded by Jura, a patrol boat from Scotland and told not to fish within 12 miles of Rockall.
The Captain of the Irish fishing vessel spoke to Irish Broadcaster RTE soon after saying: “We were fishing in Rockall and members of the crew from the Jura boarded us.
“They informed us that we could no longer fish inside the 12-mile limit of Rockall.
“The Scottish navy are continuing to patrol the 12-mile limit, and we’re waiting on further instructions from the Department of Foreign Affairs on what their next move will be.”
A statement from Ireland’s Foreign Affairs read: “We are aware of contact between an Irish fishing vessel and a Marine Scotland patrol vessel yesterday, 4 January.
“We are in contact with the Scottish and UK authorities on this.”
The Scottish Government returned comment saying: “the Irish vessel was routinely inspected outside of territorial waters around Rockall.
“The master requested clarification on the access rights granted by his licence to fish in UK waters.”
