Equipment Needed for Pre-processing of Fish:

Introduction:

Fish is a highly perishable food which needs proper handling and preservation if is to have a long
shelf life and retain a desirable quality and proper nutritional value. The main concern of fish
processing is to prevent the fish from spoilage. Pre-processing plays an important role in case of
quality maintaining of fish. If a fish is pre-processed then it increases both its shelf life, quality
and value.

What is Pre-processing of Fish?

Pre-processing of fish refers to the activities in the fish processing laboratory by which the raw
materials are prepared for the further or final processing. The activities include beheading,
scaling, gutting, dressing, de-shelling, boiling, steaming, filleting, skinning etc. The pre-
processing is done for using the raw materials in the manufacturing process or for distribution. It
is also a must need in case of cooking or further processing.

Importance of Pre-processing of Fish:

 If the fish is pre-processed, the value of fish increased.

 Fish skin are not desirable for many consumers. So, if skinning is done then increases the
consumer’s demand.
 Dressing of fish increase the demand as it can be easily cooked.
 Various value-added products can be made by fish fillets.
 We can establish a modern fish market by using the pre-processing method.

Equipment Needed for Pre-processing of Fish:

Hand gloves
Apron
Table
Knife
Fish cutter boards
Fish box or ice box
Balance

1
 Containers
Potable water, chlorinated water plant
70% ethanol
Waste bin etc.

Hand Gloves:

The most important thing in the fish processing laboratory is gloves to avoid contamination in
the fishes. Gloves will also provide protection to hands.

Figure 01: Hand Gloves

Aprons:

The people who work in the fish processing laboratory, they must wear aprons. Aprons are
important to avoid the contaminations from cloths.

Figure 02: Apron

Table: The table must be clean and contamination free. We should also be concern about the
table materials. It must be made of food grade materials. We can clean the table with potable
water or 70% ethanol. Table can be made up of wood, stainless steel, plastic, ceramic or tiles.
Plastic table is recommended as it has some advantages.

2
 a) Wooden table: The table that are made by wood are more susceptible to have bacteria or
other microorganisms in it. It also difficult to clean properly. That’s why it is not
recommended.
b) Stainless steel table: Stainless tables are easy to clean but there is another problem. The
table will be slippy.
c) Plastic Table: Plastic tables are most common and widely used everywhere. It is both
easy to handle and there is no slippery during work due to its rough surface.

Figure 03: Stainless steel table Figure 04: Plastic table Figure 05: Wooden table

Knife:

In the processing laboratory a knife is obvious. A knife is needed for performing dressing, fish
filleting, skinning, beheading. Knife must be sharp. For filleting the fish, the knife must be long
and flexible. For the skinning purpose we can use the knife that is not much sharp. If it is very
sharp then it can damage the fillets and destroy the quality of fish.

3
 Figure 06: Different knifes used in laboratory

Fish Chopping Board:

Fish chopping boards are the flat trays that are used for the purpose of easy cutting and handling
during pre-processing of fish.

a) Wooden: We should avoid the use of wooden cutter board. It absorbs water and it is
difficult to clean. It can be a source of bacteria. It also shows lower longevity.
b) Stainless Steel: It is good due to the abrasion resistance but it has a disadvantage. It is
slippery. It is difficult to work in the slippery cutter board.
c) Plastic: Plastic boards are widely used for pre-processing and it is the most
recommended. It is easy to clean. Due to its rough appearance, it is easy to work on it.

Figure 07: Plastic Cutter Board Figure 08: Wooden Cutter Board

Ice Box:

If fish is stored with ice in an insulated box, then the fish will be fresh for long time. The
insulated box is helpful to reduce the melting of ice. These facts will be useful to improve fish
quality and it will also increase producer’s income. For the ice box the following materials can
be used-

4
 a) Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP): This is very strong material for the preparation of
insulated ice box. It is also waterproof.
b) High Density Polyethylene (HDPE): It can also be used for making the insulated fish
box. It is also strong but a little cheaper than GRP.

An ideal fish box must have the following characteristics-

 An ideal fish box will be well insulated.

 For transportation, an ideal fish box must be portable or easily movable. If it is for the
fish market then portability is not a necessary thing.
 There must be a drainage system for the draining out of melted ice.

Figure 09: An Ideal Fish Box

Balance:
It is used for the purpose of measuring the weight of the fishes.

Figure 10: A balance for measuring weight

Containers:
Containers are needed in the laboratory to hold the whole fish or sometime to hold the
pre-processed fish. Containers must be kept clean all the time to avoid contamination. For
the cleaning purpose we can use the 70% ethanol or chlorinated water.
Chlorinated Water/ potable water Plant:

5
 For the cleaning purpose, chlorinated water is important. Chlorinated water can reduce
more bacterial population from the equipment. Chlorinated water is a must for the
laboratory for maintaining hygiene in the fish or fishery products.
70% Ethanol:
70% ethanol is used in the laboratory for cleaning purpose. The table, knife, cutter boards
are cleaned by the 70% ethanol. It kills the microbes and make the working premises safe
and contamination free.
Waste Bin:
Waste bin is a container for storing the waste materials temporarily. It can be made of
plastic or metal.

Conclusion: