An innovative crab waste recycling scheme topped a list of fishing industry projects in Devon and Cornwall sharing a £1.9 million pot of European funding this month.

A total of 16 projects benefited from the money, made available through the European Fisheries Fund (EFF) and Marine Management Organisation (MMO).

The Blue Seafood Company received £179,000 to develop its Paignton factory so that crab processing waste can be turned into a by-product for use by whelk fishermen, as well as £6,500 for cold storage.

Nick Howell, owner of the Pilchard Works in Newlyn and a member of the port's harbour commission, said the fund was "hugely important" for the industry.

"It is nice to hear some true innovation coming out such as the waste idea – finding the kinks in the industry for new ideas and changes," he said.

"We produce a mountain of fish waste down here and all the regulations make it difficult to use it any more.

"The fund has been hugely important for the industry, especially since the cutbacks, and it is a pity that a lot of the grants are just little bits and pieces with so few making a step change."

The MMO said much of the money was shared among eight large scale developments, which will directly safeguard over 150 jobs and create up to 21 additional positions.

The biggest single award approved by the panel of judges was around £606,000 for the redevelopment of Grimsby fish market. When other public and private sector match funding is included, the total is more than £4.5 million.

The MMO also agreed a further £97,000 through the EFF scheme, for investment in eight smaller projects such as improvements to fishing vessels in Devon and Cornwall.

In Brixham, JFD Trawlers received £24,616 for scalloping equipment and Langdon and Philips got £21,830 for generators for the Lady Lou.

Mr J H Pascoe, of Newlyn, got £1,990 for an engine for the Boy Adam and Mr Chown, of Padstow, was handed £6,342 for a net hauler upgrade.

Mr C Griffiths, of Dartmouth, saw his re-engining of the Joint Venture financed to the tune of £4,120. Catherine Murphy, programme manager for the European Fisheries Fund in England, said: "This is encouraging news in the current economic climate and it's good to see that a significant level of private investment is continuing in our fishing industry.

"I urge anyone who's thinking about developing their business or investing in new facilities and equipment to contact us first to see whether their idea is likely to be accepted for funding."

Scheme money is still available for fishermen, processing and aquaculture businesses, with the next applications deadline on May 11

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