Researchers from the Camborne School of Mines (CSM) part of the University of Exeter, are testing the first commercial fishing boat to run on environmentally friendly bio-diesel made from vegetable oil.

The 30' fishing vessel, named Ma Gandole, has been successfully operating off the coast of Newlyn over the summer.

Ma Gandole is a traditional wooden fishing boat rigged for crabbing, and has also been engaged in potting trials during the fuel research.

If successful, bio-fuel could be available for commercial fishing vessels around the world, significantly reducing overall carbon dioxide emissions as well as reducing other sulphur emissions to zero.

One of the aims of the project is to determine whether bio-diesel can be used as a direct substitute for red diesel in fishing boats without the need for modifications to the engine or fuel system.

Project Manager Neill Wood from the University of Exeter's Camborne School of Mines, which is based on the University of Exeter's Tremough Campus in Penryn, says: "This is the first time bio-diesel has been used in a commercial fishing vessel and in future it could be a promising alternative to red diesel, which is currently used. We estimate that if we could convert the entire fishing fleet in just one local port such as Newlyn we could cut fossil carbon dioxide emissions by up to 9,000 tonnes per year, as well as seeing potential cost savings."

The bio-diesel is manufactured from recycled vegetable oil, mainly sourced from local caterers including Camborne's popular fish and chip shop, The Galley.

The bio-diesel is created by reacting vegetable oil or animal fats with an alcohol to form an organic compound called methyl ester, which has very similar properties to conventional diesel. The fuel can be relatively carbon neutral, so does not contribute to global warming to the extent that ordinary diesel does.

It is also free from sulphur, which causes acid rain, and if spilled causes far less pollution as it is rapidly biodegradable and far less toxic than ordinary diesel.

The initial performance testing was carried out on a new engine testing facility in CSM's own test mine, which has a relatively stable environment all year round.

The research team carried out trials to determine the effects of bio-fuel on an engine's function and performance. The fuel is now being tested on Ma Gandole to demonstrate its performance at sea. The research team will then analyse the data and present it to industry body Seafish so they can determine the feasibility of bio-diesel for the UK fishing industry.

Neill Wood, who is also skipper of Ma Gandole, continues: This is another example of Cornwall leading the way in renewable energy developments.

CSM offers the UK's first undergraduate degree in renewable energy and has a world-class team of researchers. We are very excited to be leading this project, which could result in the UK's fishing fleets using environmentally-friendly bio-fuel.' The University of Exeter received funding of more than £300,000 from Defra and the Objective One Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG) and Seafish to carry out the project.