@captancola I didn't suggest PvP being rewarded.
I agree with your second suggestion. I think there needs to be some sort of ranking system, or PvP faction, in other words pirates can somehow tell your PvP experience/PvP rep just by looking at your ship. Perhaps each player has PvP rep/ranking or something and it's added to each member of your ship to give you a ranking. It would be easier to see how good or bad enemies are. I don't agree with splitting servers apart at all... but how about a system of positive reinforcement - people who enjoy PvP are encouraged some how to fight people who are more experienced in PvP, thus making noobs look like less attractive targets. You will never stop noobs from being attacked and that's a part of the game but if there was some way of making stronger pirates more attractive targets it would work better. I suggested a PvP faction/bounty idea on one of my threads but I'm sure there would be other ways to achieve this.