HISTORY OF SEA-FISHERIES. 187 



The taking of herrings was extensively pursued 

 in Scotland in the ninth century, and continued 

 until the convention of Royal Burghs prohibited 

 the exportation of fish before the resident popu- 

 lation was supplied at a stipulated price. In 

 consequence of this interference many of the 

 fishermen abandoned the pursuit at home and 

 settled in Holland a circumstance which first 

 drew the attention of the Dutch to the value of 

 the Scotch fisheries. Several enactments were 

 passed in Scotland under James III, IV, and V, 

 for the promotion of the fisheries, and James VI, 

 before his accession to the English throne, 

 directed the building of three towns for the same 

 purpose, but this measure failed to secure success. 



In 1633 Charles I ordained " An Association of 

 the three kingdoms for a general fishery within 

 the hail seas and coasts of His Majesty's said 

 dominions." A standing committee was named 

 for the government of the association, which was 

 joined by many persons of distinction. For the 

 encouragement of this adventure the king ordered 

 that Lent should be strictly observed, but the 

 breaking out of the civil war put an end to this 

 scheme. In 1651 the Government, in order to 



