INTRODUCTION 7 



three remedies for restoring the strength and importance 

 of the navy. He proposed : 



(1) That the fishing industry be promoted, as it 

 provided a valuable recruiting ground for the navy ; 



(2) That merchandise be extended, and so provide 

 increased employment for the shipping industry ; 



(3) That piracy be encouraged, privately -owned 

 privateers forming valuable auxiliaries in time of war. 



He though that the fishing industry could be stimulated 

 immediately by renewing the fast days, which had 

 fallen into disuse since the abolition of the monasteries. 



He suggested that two days a week Wednesday and 

 Friday should be meatless days. 



In 1563, he tried a measure of Protection, a Naviga- 

 tion Act being passed, making it illegal to buy or sell 

 foreign-caught fish, and attempts were made to 

 prevent Dutch and other foreigners from fishing in 

 English waters. These measures, although passed by 

 Parliament, do not appear to have been enforced. 



James I issued two proclamations, imposing licences 

 and dues upon foreign fishing vessels fishing in British 

 waters. Xo attention was paid to these, and it was left 

 to Charles I, some years later, to enforce them. Other 

 steps taken by both Charles I and Charles II consisted 

 mainly in the formation of Royal Fishery Companies. 

 Various fishery companies and societies succeeded one 

 another up to the end of the eighteenth century. They 

 do not appear to have been successful in establishing a 

 flourishing fishing industry, and in 1718 (George I) an 

 act was passed by which fishermen were to be rewarded 

 for their catch by a bounty. Bounties were to be paid 

 for several kinds of fish : thus, for every barrel of white 

 herrings of 32 gallons, exported beyond the seas, the 

 bounty was 2s. 8d. ; for full red herrings, Is. 9d. per 

 barrel ; for empty red herrings, Is. per barrel. 



