FAIR ISLE MARINE RESEARCH ORGANISATION [SCIO]
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## TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT
June 2023 — June 2024
Charity Contact Information
## Scottish Charity Number: SC048485
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## Objectives and Activities
In October 2016, the Fair Isle community was notified that their proposal to create a marine protected area in the coastal waters surrounding the isle had been accepted, and the Fair Isle Demonstration and Research Marine Protected Area officially designated. This was the culmination of over twenty years campaigning by members of the Fair Isle community to gain some form of protection for their immediate marine environment, following substantial and sustained declines in the isle populations of a number of breeding seabird species.
The proposal was unusual in that it was developed by the community, principally the Fair Isle Marine Environment and Tourism Initiative (FIMETI), a non-constituted partnership of isle community members, the Fair Isle Bird Observatory Trust and the National Trust for Scotland, the latter being the isle landlords. Following designation, the community members responsible for operating FIMETI felt that the time had come to step down. The newly-designated marine protected area was to be governed bya Steering Committee, representing the major stakeholders, including a range of local/national fisheries organisations and conservation bodies. With the dissolution of FIMETI, the Fair Isle Bird Observatory Trust and National Trust for Scotland were represented on the Steering Committee as independent organisations, but it was recognised that having originated with the Fair Isle community, representation of their views and interests on the committee was vital.
A new, properly constituted body was needed, leading to the establishment of the Fair Isle Marine Research Organisation (SCIO) in June 2018, with three isle residents as trustees. The hope was that such an organisation could in the first instance act as a representative of the community on the Steering Committee of the Fair Isle Marine Protected Area, enable the employment of a local project officer and in time develop a range of research projects, independently and with other committee partner organisations that would bring socio-economic and environmental benefits to Fair Isle.
Our charitable purposes include:
- the advancement of citizenship or community development
- the advancement of the arts, heritage, culture or science
- the advancement of environmental protection or improvement
## We aim to fulfil these purposes by:
— Working to better understand the marine and coastal habitats of Fair Isle, the biological interactions within these environments and the impact of human activity upon them.
— Representing the view and interests of Fair Isle residents with regards to the protection and use of Fair Isle’s marine and coastal natural heritage
— Promoting the value of Fair Isle’s coastal and marine natural heritage to the wider public, both independently and through cooperation with other relevant organisations.
— Working to explore the potential for sustainable economic development linked to Fair Isle’s natural marine and coastal resources
— Empowering the community to contribute to discussions regarding the use and protection of its natural marine and coastal resources and heritage. - Carrying out biological research and monitoring work within the boundaries of the Fair Isle Marine Protected Area during this project’s lifetime
- Supporting research conducted by other bodies within the boundaries of the Fair Isle Marine Protected Area during this project’s lifetime
- Commissioning and/or supporting research projects that may from time to time arise or be deemed necessary to further the aims of better understanding and contributing to the protection of Fair Isle’s marine and coastal environment, but that fall out with the scope of the Marine Protected Area project
- Seeking to promote a better knowledge and understanding of scientific research conducted on the isle, both to the local community and visitors to Fair Isle.
## Structure, governance and management
Governing document: Constitution of Fair Isle Marine Research Organisation SCIO
Trustee recruitment and appointment: Fair Isle is a small community, with c50 people currently resident on the isle. Much of the work by residents to support and develop the community is achieved by means of committees reporting to a constituted body, the Fair Isle Community Association. To reduce the potential for conflicts of interest, given the small size of the community, the significant number of family relationships and the multiple paid and voluntary roles undertaken by residents it was agreed that a singletier structure would be adopted by the Fair Isle Marine Research Organisation. Since there would be no additional membership beyond that of the trustees under this arrangement, it was further agreed that accountability to the local community would be maintained by voluntary reporting to the Fair Isle Community Association. Three trustees, all individuals who had been involved in the process of obtaining marine protected area status and the subsequent process of applying for SCIO status, were duly appointed.
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## Achievements and Performance
Trustees attended all Fair Isle Marine Protected Area Steering Committee meetings via Zoom & Teams. These meetings are generally biannual. Some research projects were identified where further meetings and sub-group meetings were felt to be useful. Other Steering Committee members were able to meet in person. One trustee has chaired a number of these meetings. Our Project Officer has provide updates to the Fair Isle Times and Newsletters to the community.
Trustees have attended all Fair Isle Committee quarterly meetings in person to report on updates in relation to the Marine Protected Area. These meetings were also attended by our Project Officer for the DR MPA. The community remain both interested and supportive.
A publication ‘Sea Area Fair Isle’ by islander [ii features information FIMRO. Sale proceeds have be gratefully received by FIMRO especially as we look to generate income in the future.
## features information about
Trustees have been involved in supporting research undertaken on Fair Isle during the 2023/24 fieldwork season in relation to the Marine Protected Area, in partnership with NatureScot, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and Fair Isle Bird Observatory Trust (FIBOT).
Projects included ongoing survey work of sea caves around the coast of Fair Isle, with a view to further developing this work in future seasons in conjunction with local residents, including Neil Thomson (FIMRO trustee) and Fair Isle Bird Observatory staff and Ranger. A presentation on Fair Isle sea caves was well attended. Shore watch activities, rock-pooling, and other events were also well attended.
Island wide invasive species monitoring remains in place with regular inspection of monitoring equipment, with islanders undertaking the role. This is particularly aimed at identifying any potential rat activity.
The Fair Isle Bird Observatory Trust rebuild programme now has a proposed opening date in spring 2025. We very much hope the official opening will see renewed partnership working between the Fair Isle Bird Observatory and FIMRO, and a base for researchers.
Rock-pooling equipment was made available to islanders to undertake local shore based species recording, on events days, to feed into the DR MPA. The Fair Isle Marine WhatsApp group for islanders, visitors, researchers and Bird Observatory staff/ranger to share and identify finds remains very popular, with over forty plus members, and has helped with ongoing species identification. Islanders continue to include fishing activity and catch. This has inspired members of the community to become more engaged with the MPA. We hope this generates enthusiasm within the community to explore and share finds and information with the wider community, FIMRO and the Steering Committee. We are now looking to develop citizen science projects, and in particular to investigate cetaceans in the Fair Isle area using acoustic equipment. This will be supported through Shetland Islands Council ‘Coastal Communities Fund’, National Trust for Scotland and NatureScot.
We continue to use small GoPro cameras at the main harbour. Land-based cetacean recording is an exciting opportunity for all, with sightings recorded by Fair Isle Bird Observatory staff. Likewise, sightings from our island ferry. Inshore fisheries surveys have progressed, identifying species, alien species and activity, and including stomach content analysis of some species. The North Atlantic Fisheries College, through the University if the Highlands & islands, undertook this work and presented their findings to the DR MPA Steering Committee and the community during the period. Presentations have been well attended by islanders & visitors. Presentations/events are timetabled to allow our very engaged school age children to participate. Other stakeholders have joined or delivered content via teams. Film footage of Flapper Skate has been very exciting, and there will be further investigation into skate activity and populations during 2025.
A new Project Officer was appointed in August 2023.
based in Orkney, has become a huge
asset. We have benefitted enormously from her skill set and enthusiasm.
Much of the Project Officers work in the period was to engage with the DR MPA Steering Committee, FIMRO and the local community to further identify a priorities list for research work, and move research projects forward, and to identify funding. A priorities list has been agreed, and we are also working to develop a communications plan. Continued consultation (and workshops) were delivered and FIMRO trustees, with help from the Project Officer, facilitated the process which will further identify research areas we would like to develop. Trustees have benefitted from support and training delivered through Coastal Communities Network.
FIMRO, NatureScot and FFI maintained the small advisory group that aims to promote DR MPA, look at locally based projects, attract future funding, and deliver on some of the smaller research activities. FFI worked with Trustees to primarily develop capacity and in 2025 this will focus on more defined activities. FIMRO has also engaged and participated in online training events/seminars delivered by Coastal Community Network.
FIMRO commissioned a series of short films - offering a virtual tour of Fair Isle, now available on the FIMRO website, allowing islanders and visitors to access film content and information they may be interested in, or wish to become actively involved in.
Financial review — FIMRO now has an operational bank account and in March 2023 £4998.00 was deposited into the account. This award was given by the Fair Isle Community Association to further the DR MAP and FIMRO aspirations. This was used to progress website in August/Sept 2023. FIMRO submitted a Receipts and Payments account (from OSCR) Oct 2024.
A Receipts and Payments account will be submitted with the annual return for the period.
## Future plans
As trustees of the Fair Isle Marine Research Organisation we have gained in experience and capacity, attending and facilitating meetings, understanding our partner organisations, and supporting each other. We want to build on the increasing community engagement with more events and activities. We want to further engage in digital platforms introduced for partners/steering committee members and FIMRO. This will allow us to explore project ideas and the processes required to deliver on MPA objectives eg project ownership, finance, target groups etc.
FIMRO want to further develop the website to promote wider engagement in the DR MPA. We are also looking to acquire more GoPro cameras as we identify suitable tidal/shore sites for local monitoring.
One ongoing objective for the 2024/25 is to build on our relationship with the local Development Company to deliver on shared projects where they may be able to assist with funding, and expertise. We plan to take on the management of all funding and claims associated with citizen science projects planned for 2024/25. We are grateful to the Development Company for their assistance and ongoing support.
In 2025 FIMRO plan to present a revised research priorities list to the community, and consult with residents to ensure we are clear about their priorities and aspirations for the MPA.
FIMRO, with advisory group help, are keen to re-engage with fishers. Both the Shetland Fishermen’s Association and Scottish Fisherman’s Federation are part of the DR MPA steering committee. We value their contribution and would like to enhance the relationship, especially as Government review MPA’s.
It remains our desire to ensure the community remain at the heart of the Fair Isle Marine Protected Area.
APPENDIX 1
## Other optional information
## Declaration
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity's trustees
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Signature(s)
OSCR will accept
digital or typed
signatures
Full name(s)
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Position (e.g. Chair) Treasurer
Trustee
Date 12/03/2025 12/03/2525
4
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sc
YC ff FT) Receipts and payments accounts
Scottish Charity Regulator om lo6 §=—S | [2023 2024
Section A Statement of receipts and payments
Unrestricted Restricted an sachbincsnees Total funds Total funds last
fiirid farid endowment endowment urrent period eriod
unds unds funds funds . Re! P
to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £
A1 Receipts
9733 9733, -|{|
legacies = | | a
lots[Receipts from fundraising|activities | |Pe| | 4998
Income from investments other than
land and buildings
Rents from land & buildings | es |ee
Gross receipts from other charitable
activities
At Sub total Pe
|
A2 Receipts from asset &
investment sales
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets Ys
[Proceeds from sale of investments |
A2 Sub total]|
A3 Payments
favesmenimanagonontcossPayments relating directly to charitable[| er |ai
[sasactivities anddonatons | a |a
fsoverancecone ey |eea
a a
ee |ee
ee a |ee
| ee | eT
73 Sub total a
A4 Payments relating to asset and
Purchasesinvestment ofmedessasmovements [|
Prchase ofivesimenis |
Ad Sub total[|
Total payments[ J CC) CO)
Net receipts /(payments)[TI] Ce
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## APPENDIX 2
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- SC
Section B Statement of balances
et — Restricted funds Expendableendowment endowmPerman e ntnt Total _— Total last period
. funds funds pe
to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £
B1 Cash funds Cash and bank balances at start of year 3748 3748 4998
Surplus / (deficit) shown on receipts and 7
payments account
Cash and bank balances at end of year 1 01 53 - q 01 53- 4998 -
(Agree balances with receipts and payments
account(s))
Fund to which asset belongs Market valuation Last year
—We ms
to nearest £ to nearest £
_ — —
Total
Detaits Fund to which- asset belongs Cost (if available) Currentavailable)value (if Last year
to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £
- = =
Total
Detail Fund to which liability relates Amount due Last year
to nearest £ to nearest £
- —— —
Total
rereDetail Fund to which liability relates Amount(estimate) dus Last year
to nearest £ to nearest £
— — —
Total
Signed by one or two trustees Date of
on behalf of all the trustees Signature* Print Name approval
3.25red 1
(2/2) rs
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* Please note - OSCR will accept digital or typed signatures
2013-04-02 Copy of Trustees AR Ap2 excel.xis / Statement of balances
2
December 2007
APPENDIX 2
- SC
## Section C Notes to the Accounts
C1 Nature and purpose of funds (may be stated on analysis of funds worksheets)
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a ran a Individual / Number of grants £
Type of activity or project supported Institution ihade
/ ——= Total
C3a Trustee remuneration If no remuneration was paid during the period to any charity trustee or person connected to a
trustee cross this box (otherwise complete section 3b) x
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£
Authority under which paid
C3b Trustee remuneration - details
C4a Trustee expenses
If no expenses were paid to any charity trustee during the period then cross this box (otherwise complete section 4b)
Number of £ trustees
C4b Trustee expenses - details
Nature of relationship
Nature of transaction
Transaction Balance amount (£) outstanding at i €
C5 Transactions with trustees and connected persons _ Po 2013-04-02 Copy of Trustees AR Ap2 excel.xis / Notes 3 December 2007
APPENDIX 2
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## Additional analysis (1)
Analysis of receipts and payments
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1 Donations
— Restricted funds endowmentExpendable endowmPerman e ntnt Joma ee Total last period
funds funds Pe
to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £
air Isle Committee | 3000 _| 3000 -| 0 |
imefi |_ 6/33 | 6/33 -][
Total 9733 - 9733 -|{| O 3
2 Grants
Unrestricted Restricted funds Total current Total last period
picefund: to nearest £ ‘iemeakeperiod to nearest £
es |eee
Total | [0] -} 1. [4998] |
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2 Grants
3 Gross receipts from other charitable activities
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Expendable Permanent
~— Restricted funds endowment endowment ages gi Total last period
nee funds funds
to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £
ackhoullVW museum | 200 | | [420] -|
|Shetlandknev limesStores | | [100] 100 || Le{|
Media ae EE
4 Payments relating directly to charitable activities
vosa Restricted funds Expendableendowment endowmPerman en tt ae Total last period
nes funds funds
to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £
|FishCMGIowW |1249 | [1249] || [UO]
owow Fis | 1249 | | [1249] ||
Fish | 2499 | oad
a a |eee
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2013-04-02 Copy of Trustees AR Ap2 excel.xisAdditional notes (1)
December 2007
APPENDIX 2
sc
## Additional analysis (2)
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|5 Breakdown of unrestricted funds|5 Breakdown of unrestricted funds||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
||||Total
unrestricted
funds|Total
unrestricted
funds last period|
|Receipts|||||
|Receiptsfromfundraising activities
Rentsfrom land&buildings|Subtotal||
|
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|Receipts
from asset & investment|sales||||
|Proceeds from sale of fixed assets|||||
||Sub total||||
||Totalreceipts,(=)()DO) DO) CO)||||
|Payments
Expenses forfundraising activites||_|es|||
|Td
Payments relatingdirectly tochartableactives |[____——_—*i|
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-
-
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a
Sub total [__
1% =||||es|
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|Payments relating toasset and investment|||||
|movements|||||
|Purchases of fixed assets|||||
||Subtotal||||
aand purpose of funds
2013-04-02 Copy of Trustees AR Ap2 excel.xisAdditional notes (2)
December 2007
APPENDIX 2
- sc
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## Additional analysis (3)
6 Breakdown of restricted funds
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Total restricted Total restricted
funds funds last
period
Receipts
fe
|e
eee
Receipts from fundraising activities |
a:
Income from investments other than land and
buildings
Rents from land & buildings Ye
_—
Sub total {|
ProceedsReceipts fromfrom assetsale of &fixed investmentassets sales
Proceeds from sale of investments
Sub total
Payments
Expenses for fundraising activities ftw |
Gross trading payments [ed
ss
Payments relating directly to charitable activities [|
er
Audit / independent examination |tis
—
er
Sub total i
Payments relating to asset and investment
movements
Sub total
Transfers to / (trom) funds a | eS | S| | ES |
Surplus / (dete for yar [— [J] DJ DC Oo
aand purpose of funds
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2013-04-02 Copy of Trustees AR Ap2 excel.xisAdditional notes (3)
December 2007
5
## APPENDIX 3
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f , ra y. a
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D> rp, &
Scottish Charity Regulator
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Independent examiner’s report on the accounts) «
Report to the Charity name
trustees/members of Tyga? TELE MARINE RESERECH CC&AHISATION (se io
Registered charity SC GYU%X4ysS
number
On the accounts of the Period start date Period end date
charity for the period Day Month Year Day Month Year
so aTeun& 202% to :so -Supe 20 2G
(remember t clude the page
Respective The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance
responsibilities Of with the terms of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) 2005 Act and the
trustees and examiner Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended). The charity trustees
consider that the audit requirement of Regulation 10(1) (d) of the Accounts Regulations
does not apply. It is my responsibility to examine the accounts as required under section
44(1) (c) of the Act and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent My examination is carried out in accordance with Regulation 11 of the 2006 Accounts
examiner's statement Regulations. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the
charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes
consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeks
explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken
do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and, consequently, | do
not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.
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- Independent examiner’s __|n the course of my examination, no matter has come to my attention [other than that statement disclosed on the attached page*]
1. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
- to keep accounting records in accordance with section 44(1) (a) of the 2005 Act and Regulation 4 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations, and
- * to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with Regulation 9 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations
have not been met, or
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2. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper
i nts to be reached.
Signed: O03 25
Name:
Relevant professional
qualification(s) or body
(if any):
_ee
*Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply. If the words do apply, set out those matters which have come to your attention on the
following page
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s
## APPENDIX 3
## Disclosure section
Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material problems. Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose