We used donations to fund initiatives that were of a wide benefit to fishing communities affected by the donating offshore wind farm. Only under special circumstance did we fund an initiative with more narrow community benefits (see below*).
Voluntary Donations made by the Offshore Wind Farms
The West of Morecambe Fisheries Ltd Company (WOMF), and the funds it managed, were often donated on a voluntary basis by the Offshore Wind Farm supporters. These Voluntary Donations were usually donated as recognition of the good cooperation that may exist between the fishing communities and the offshore wind farm. Voluntary Donations were used to support a range of initiatives that had wide benefits to fishing communities affected by the offshore wind farm. For Voluntary Donations, there were typically ‘calls for proposals’ during which time the fishing communities could submit applications for funding for community projects.
Agreed Donations made by the Offshore Wind Farms
Some funds were donated to WOMF, which were part of formal agreements between the fishermen and the wind farm owners. These were known as Agreed Donations. These agreements and Agreed Donations were established for example; when there was a need for spatial clearances of fishing gear /fishing activities, required for pre-construction surveys /construction or for ongoing co-existence agreements.
An Agreed Donation through WOMF was made after an agreement was reached between the wind farm owner and a large fishing community group, such as Fish Producer Organisations, Fishing Cooperatives or Fishermen’s Associations etc. The Agreed Donation was subsequently used to fund initiatives which were of specific benefit to that particular fishing community detailed in the agreement.
Agreed Donations were made as an alternative to direct financial payments by the offshore wind farm to the fishing industry.
Single Business Agreed Donation*
Occasionally an Agreed Donation (see above) was made with an independent individual fishing business /operator. This was known as a Single Business Agreed Donation. In this case the donation could be used to fund an initiative which was of benefit to their business only.
Single Business Agreed Donations were made as an alternative to direct financial payments by the offshore wind farm to the fishing industry.
