Prior to describing the details of this research and setting out the results for consideration, I should like to take this opportunity to thank the Fishing Industry Research Committee, the Commonwealth Department of Science & Technology, the Minister for Minerals & Energy of Western Australia and the Energy Research Division of the State Energy Commission of W.A., for their encouragement, technical resources and financial assistance with this project. This assistance has been largely instrumental in our being able to establish the technical and economic potential of natural gas as a viable alternative source of fuel for the fishing industry.