Seafood and fish processing guide

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Fish and seafood processing and packaging is a valued business. Many types of seafood stocks are available from shellfish captured in the ocean to freshwater fish from lakes. After fish is caught, it must be filtered and packaged to reach consumers as an edible commodity.

WHAT IS FISH PROCESSING?

Fish processing encompasses preparing fish and seafood for delivery to consumers. Once fish is collected, it must undergo various steps before it’s ready to be sold in the market. The process comprises gutting, filleting, and packaging the product. Fish is a highly perishable food, so it must be carefully monitored from the moment it’s caught until it’s sealed in packaging material. Proper, productive processing and packaging prevent deterioration and ensure a quality product.

HOW ARE FISH PROCESSED?

Fish processing generally pertains to the following steps:

  • Grouping fish by size and species
  • Packing fish into a machine to remove heads
  • Moving fish to a cleaning machine to peel tails, scales, and entrails
  • Peeling fins
  • Rubbing thoroughly

Fish processing may be done manually or by the use of processing appliances. The details of the procedure can vary greatly relying on a company’s size and the fish species they handle.

QUALITY AND SAFETY FOR FISH PROCESSING

One of the top interests in the fish processing and packaging industry is spoilage. Fish quickly erodes, so steps must be taken immediately to extend shelf life. The process includes:

Temperature control: Reducing the temperature to 32 degrees Fahrenheit slows down deterioration. Raw fish must be chilled in ice immediately after collecting and be kept cool during the trip to the processing plant as well as throughout processing and dispersion. Freezing is required to extend shelf life for a long time.

Moisture control: Drying, salting, and smoking reduce the water quantity and brings the fish products suitable for consumption. Salting is a traditional method that’s often incorporated with drying and smoking. It’s also a low-cost way to conserve fish.

Oxygen control: Fish may be vacuum-sealed to improve shelf life. Vacuum packaging deprives the fish product of oxygen, which prevents oxidation reactions and distress spoilage.

Microbial growth control: A processing plant might use heat or rise acidity to kill bacteria and slow decomposition in fish products.

WASTE MANAGEMENT

Waste supervision is another important factor in fish and seafood processing. Treated fish waste can be turned into fish oil, animal feed, fertilizer, and other value-added commodities. Fish waste must also be organized properly for environmental objectives.

Fish plants produce large amounts of trash. It’s calculated that more than 50% of fish captured are not utilized as food. Fish waste mostly includes:

  • Heads
  • Bones
  • Skin
  • Internal organs

Fish processing also generates large amounts of wastewater. Liquid waste, such as abandoned water from washing stations, needs to be managed and disposed of properly. The juices must be assessed to determine the best disposal procedure.

Fish waste treatment may comprise procedures such as hydrolysis, bioremediation, anaerobic digestion, and filtration. Waste liquids undergo the primary procedure, which removes materials that readily float or settle. Secondary treatment processes waste liquids after floating and settleable materials have been eliminated. Secondary treatment uses biological and chemical processes to change effluent and make it safer for the atmosphere.

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