An ACT-based project to produce sustainable fish oils is one of the 55 finalists of this year's Eureka Prize.
In collaboration with global agriculture company Nuseed, CSIRO researchers took genes from algae to create a modified version of canola oil very similar to fish oil.
The Omega-3 rich oil can now be sustainably produced at scale for both agricultural farming and consumer products.
With climate change causing the decline of wild fish stocks and the demand for fish oils increasing, group leader Surinder Singh said the "sustainable credentials of the technology were well-received".
"People are generally aware of the benefits of fish or fish oil," Dr Singh said.
"Now you can plant as much as you like."
The research project was 15 years in the making.
On their chances of winning a $10,000 prize, Dr Singh said his team were "excited but quite realistic".
"There are other deserving candidates and it will be decided on the day," Dr Singh said.
"The main thing was to get the crop approved and then [Nuseed] has been very successful in rolling it out.
"All those milestones have been hit and been quite successful."
Dr Singh said while he cannot disclose future plans, expect an "increase in the amount of plant oil production".
"We haven't stopped working," he said.
Now in its 34th year, the Eureka Prize is Australia's largest science prize.
On September 4, a total of 19 awards and $180,000 in prizemoney will be presented across four categories - research and innovation, leadership, science engagement and school science.
Dr Singh's project was the first to be nominated for the new sustainability research prize.
Other ACT finalist projects include the development of the world's most accurate ocean forecasting system, and a study to date antarctic ice sheet collapse through octopus DNA.
Australian Museum Director and CEO Kim McKay AO said the awards "show us the power of collective thinking".
"It is a privilege to see what happens when some of Australia's greatest scientific minds come together," she said.
