28 BRITISH FISH AND FISHERIES. 



exclusion of parties pretending to the rights of 

 fishery "within the assigned limits, has led to 

 reprisals, to hostile proceedings, and even to 

 serious disputes between the governments 

 interested in the settlement of the question. 

 Hence, at various times has the attention of the 

 legislature been directed to the establishment 

 of regulations, and encouragements have been 

 given to those who embarked property in the 

 speculation. 



In the ninth century, the herring fishery was 

 extensively pursued in Scotland, but Avhcn the 

 convention of royal burghs prohibited the 

 exportation of fish before the resident popula- 

 tion was supplied at a given price, the fishery 

 declined, and many of the fishermen settled in 

 Holland, which drew the attention of the Dutch 

 to the Scotch fisheries. The Dutch have at 

 present fisheries on the Doggerbank, and at 

 Feroe. During the year 1845, 187 sloops left 

 Ostend for the fishery at the Doggerbank, and 

 12 for Feroe. They brought back 9,432 tons 

 from the former ground, and 1,215 from the 

 latter ; total, 10,647 tons, being less by 1,105 

 tons than were procured in the year 1844. 

 Several enactments were framed under James 

 III., IV., v., and VI., of Scotland, (before the latter 

 ascended the English throne,) for the restoration 



