After this period, Enkhuizen had to deal with privateers ships from Ostend and Dunkirk and the boycott of the Dutch ships in an international context, following the ‘Act of Navigation’ issued by the English dictator Cromwell. The plague claimed more than 2,600 victims in 1636.
In addition, the outbreak of the First World War in 1914 and the increasing position of Amsterdam came at the expense of the cities of the Noorderkwartier. Enkhuizen lost a lot of capital to the restoration of the consequences of silting up the harbor mouth. Various wars caused the population to decline dramatically, as did the herring fleet. During the last quarter of the last century, Enkhuizen’s position strengthened again, partly due to the new railway connection with Amsterdamand the intensification of agriculture and horticulture in West Friesland. In addition to the cultivation of the usual seeds, people increasingly engaged in the cultivation of flower seed. The cultivation of potatoes and vegetables increased continuously and the flower bulb culture offered good prospects. The closure of the Zuiderzee in 1932 provided a reasonable living for the eel and zander fishermen. The population increased rapidly after World War II and an era of recovery began. Various large and small companies developed. The seed companies currently located in Enkhuizen occupy a leading position worldwide. An important plastics industry is also located in the municipality. In terms of tourism, Enkhuizen offers a beautiful historic city center, the Zuiderzee Museum and the marinas,