Shipping eels, the development of a shellfish grader and new technologies to dry abalone are just a few bright ideas that will now become reality, thanks to funding from the Commonwealth Government's New Industries Development Program (NIDP).

Federal Minister for Fisheries Senator Ian Macdonald, said a total of 22 agribusinesses across the country are set to receive grants and scholarships totalling $1.09 million, with aquaculture making up a large proportion of the successful projects.

"The awards are funded under the NIDP's In-Market Experience Scholarship and Pilot Commercialisation Project (PCP) schemes," he said.

"In Tasmania, Stainless Engineering & Design from Wynyard near Burnie, will receive a PCP grant of $110,000 to help commercialise the SED Shellfish Grader, an innovative grading machine for oysters, mussels and other shellfish.

"In southeast Queensland, 'Head Over Eels' in Boonah has received a $30,000 scholarship to help commercialise a live eel export trade to Hong Kong. Kingston Fisheries in Brisbane has also received a grant to commercialise the manufacture of individual quick frozen prawn meat and prawn cutlets for the restaurant trade."

The Operations Manager of South Australian Mariculture, based at Port Lincoln, will travel to Asia to investigate various technologies and techniques for drying abalone.

Ferguson Fisheries Pty Ltd, located at Malvern in Adelaide, has received a scholarship of $33, 000 to undertake business management courses in a bid to commercialise its range of value-added lobster products.

Senator Macdonald said that East Fremantle based company, Fremantle Octopus Pty Ltd, will receive a pilot commercialisation grant worth more than $90,000 to commercialise unbaited shelter pots for Octopus. This project will lead to WA's first commercial octopus fishery.

Grafton-based company, Organic Orara Perch, will use its nearly $33, 000 scholarship to enhance financial management and promotional skills and undertake market analysis.

"This latest round of funding is a fantastic result for aquaculture, which is an extremely successful and fast-growing Australian industry." Senator Macdonald said. "This latest round of funding is the fourth for this phase. NIDP will run until 2006 and on its completion more than 200 Australian Agribusinesses will have been assisted."

The next round of PCP funding closes on 21 February 2003. For information, visit www.affa.gov.au/agribiz or call 1300 884 588.