Reducing Notoriety

How about introducing a new method of reducing notoriety/improving relationships with nations? I would suggest that there be an added possibility that nation (i.e. English/Dutch/Italian/French/Portuguese/Spanish) trading ships may possibly be attacked by NPC pirates as well. Also, players may be able to assist the nation ships in defeating those NPC pirates. In that way, players' relationship with the specific nations can be improved more easily.