May 28, 2007

Australia's seafood industry gets US$34.5 million grant for research

The Australian government has pledged US$34.5 million to develop and enhance its research capabilities in aquaculture.

The investment would provide support to the Australian seafood industry, worth US$2.1 billion last year, said fisheries minister, Senator Eric Abetz

Funded by the government's Fisheries Research and Development Corporation, the projects would also promote the sustainable development of fisheries and enhance industry viability and competitiveness.

Among the projects are more than US$5.5 million allocated to Seafood Services Australia to help Australian seafood businesses and US$1 million to develop a vaccine for Amoebic Gill Disease in salmon.

Other projects would see new research into alternative fuels for fishing vessels, and a new DNA-based ageing technique for use in fisheries assessments.

Senator Abetz said it is particularly pleasing that most of the projects are partnerships between industry and researchers, with the government helping deliver results, Abetz said.