Category: Reports

Reports

Use of electricity for drying fishmeal / Electric drying of fish meal

Published:

01/01/2013

Authors:

Magnús Valgeir Gíslason, Gunnar Pálsson, Björn Margeirsson, Sigurjón Arason

Supported by:

AVS Fisheries Research Fund (R10 084‐10)

Contact

Sigurjón Arason

Chief Engineer

sigurjon.arason@matis.is

Use of electricity for drying fishmeal / Electric drying of fish meal

The fishmeal industry is an important industry and has been technologically advanced in recent years. High energy is used in the production of products. In order to gain a better grasp of energy efficiency in the process, an energy and mass flow model is set up for the processing of different raw materials and at the same time a better overview of the processing cycle is obtained. The model also helps to make it easier to influence the quality of fishmeal products, through process control. The main goal of the project is to control energy consumption in the production process and especially during drying and to develop electric drying equipment for air dryers. The drying is the last stage of processing in the circuit and the waste dryer from drying is then used later in the circuit. The aim of the project is to use electricity to heat air for drying fishmeal in an efficient way. In this way, it would be possible to achieve the goal of the fisheries sector to utilize only domestic energy in the production of fishmeal, significantly reduce the import of oil for land processing and significantly reduce the formation of footprints. Measurements in the production process were performed for four types of raw materials, to estimate material flows through the factory. Pressure drop over oil heating equipment was measured and is much higher compared to electric heating equipment. The electric heating equipment has proven successful in HB Grandi Vopnafjörður's fishmeal factory, in terms of energy source, energy efficiency, control and maintenance.

The fish meal industry is an important sector and has applied technology in recent years. Fish meal processing is an energy intensive process. For better control of energy utilization in the process energy‐ and mass flow model was set up for processing different raw material, and simultaneously a better overview for the process. The model is a good tool to have influence on the quality of the fish meal products. The main aim of the project was to control energy usage specially for the drying and to develop electric air heating equipment. The drying is the last step in the process and waste heat is utilized on previous stages in the process. The aim of the project is to utilize electricity to heat air for drying fish meal in a cost effective way. By contrast it would be possible to reach the goal for the Icelandic marine sector to utilize exclusively domestic renewable energy for fish meal processing, reduce imports of oil for shore processing and reduce carbon footprint. Measurements in the process were carried out for four kinds of raw material, for evaluation of mass flow through the process. Pressure drop over the oil air heating equipment was measured higher than for an electric air heater. It has turned out that the electric air heater has proved its worth in HB Grandi fish meal factory in Vopnafjordur, in terms of energy source, energy utilization, controlling and maintenance.  

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Reports

Offshore Aquaculture: Development, building and testing of a deep water mooring system

Published:

01/01/2013

Authors:

Helga Gunnlaugsdóttir, Sophie Jensen, Gunnar Þórðarson

Supported by:

NORA j. Nr. 510‐066

Offshore Aquaculture: Development, building and testing of a deep water mooring system

Emphasis on healthy and safe foods has boosted seafood consumption. At the same time, increased demands for the sustainable use of seafood have encouraged farming and cultivation instead of fishing for wild species. Limited space in coastal areas, however, is hampering global aquaculture production. It is therefore expected that aquaculture and the cultivation of seafood will increasingly move out of the shelter of bays and fjords and more into open sea areas. This change will increase the demands on equipment for offshore fishing, as work will need to be done at greater depths and to deal with conflicts caused by offshore waves and ocean currents. Concrete blocks and traction anchors are traditional equipment for aquaculture production of seafood, but aquaculture manufacturers are now looking for safer and cheaper methods of attaching their equipment to the seabed. Concrete blocks and tug anchors are unsuitable as anchors as they are expensive and need to be very heavy to be used on the high seas, as well as they require a lot of space as they do not withstand vertical conflicts from the environment and / or service boats. Large ships with powerful equipment must be used to bring them far from shore, and this is a very costly operation. Tæknistál ehf. has developed an underwater drill based on new technology that attaches a light screw anchor to the seabed, all the way down to a depth of 70 meters, without the assistance of divers. The project was carried out in collaboration with Matís ohf., Siglfirðing ehf., Ocean Rainforest spf., Offshore Shellfish Inc., SINTEF MRB (R&D) and partly financed with a grant from Tækniþróunarsjóður and NORA. The drill is light, weighing about 900 kg, and is based on a three-point frame with three screw drills at each corner that attaches it to the seabed. Then a screw anchor, up to four meters long, is drilled into the seabed with a fixed service line. Due to the light weight of the bearing, it is possible to use traditional service boats for fire / cultivation, to anchor. Compared to traditional anchors, such as concrete blocks and tow anchors, such drill anchors are considered more environmentally friendly, cheaper and can withstand much more vertical effort and therefore require much less space for fire / cultivation. Such properties are important for aquaculture / cultivation in the sea, but no less for other uses such as floating docks or ammunition. The drilling rig that was developed in the project has passed various effort tests, but it was also tested in mussel farming under real conditions for the open sea for 6 months in Eyjafjörður. Tests took place during the winter in the worst conditions and showed that the anchors held perfectly and withstood the load much better than traditional anchors (concrete blocks) did at the same time. Marketing of products and technical solutions developed in the project is well under way.

With ever increasing seafood consumption and greater environmental concerns for healthier and safer products, the demands on aquaculture production are rising. Limited space for suitable aquaculture sites along coastal zones is now recognized worldwide as a serious limitation for this important industry. The farming or cultivation of seafood is therefore expected to shift increasingly from sheltered fjords and bays to more exposed offshore culture sites. This expansion offshore, away from the visibility of coastal communities, means installing and anchoring aquaculture infrastructures at greater water depths in rough sea. Thus, in order to eliminate the logistical difficulties imposed by transporting and positioning heavy deadweight concrete anchors or drag ‐ anchors offshore, aquaculture operators are seeking more cost ‐ effective and practical mooring solutions like deep water drills using light ‐ weight anchoring systems. Compared to traditional fish farming in sheltered fjords and bays, offshore aquaculture gear requires a much greater holding power as it is highly exposed to considerable physical forces eg by waves and currents. One of the remaining challenges for this offshore expansion is the costly installation of heavy concrete or drag ‐ anchors to hold the aquaculture infrastructures at considerable water depths. Producers are therefore looking for more cost ‐ effective and reliable mooring systems that can be quickly and easily installed, to meet the increased biomass potential. Taeknistal Inc. has developed a new technology to fasten light ‐ weight helical screw anchors into the seabed, at water depths up to 70 meters below surface, without the assistance of divers. The project was carried out in collaboration with Matis Inc., Siglfirdingur Inc., Ocean Rainforest spf., Offshore Shellfish Inc., SINTEF MRB (R&D) and partly financed by grants received from the Technology Development Fund in Iceland and NORA. An innovative drill machine was specially developed for installing helical screw anchors into the seabed. The submersible structure consists of a triangular drill frame with three small drills, using helical screws that are fixed to each corner of the triangle at the bottom of the drill unit. This drilling machine has the advantage of being light ‐ weight, approximately 900 kg, and can be managed by an ordinary aquaculture service vessel. Compared to the traditional anchor types, such as concrete blocks or drag ‐ anchor, the helical screw anchors are more environmentally friendly, less expensive and more resistant to vertical tension. These are all important factors in aquaculture, especially offshore where one can expect high waves and strong currents, in addition to the tension imposed by the larger service vessels when they are attached to the aquaculture lines. Managing the innovative drill machine was tested at open sea and the holding power of the anchors was tested in actual conditions during six winter months, where the screw anchors were drilled into the seabed at an offshore aquaculture site at Eyjafjordur (North Iceland). The results from this test demonstrated that the screw anchors have a holding capacity superior to that of traditional anchors which minimizes the loss of crop, and reduces the environmental impact. Marketing of the products and the technical solutions developed in the project is well under way.

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Reports

Raw material process in shrimp factories

Published:

01/01/2013

Authors:

Gunnar Þórðarson, Albert Haraldsson, Albert Högnason, Ásbjörn Jónsson, Minh Van Nguyen, Sigurjón Arason

Supported by:

Westfjords Growth Agreement

Contact

Gunnar Þórðarson

Regional Manager

gunnar.thordarson@matis.is

Raw material process in shrimp factories

Shrimp processing has been very successful in improving the utilization of raw materials, and the utilization has decreased from 20% to over 40% in just over twenty years. The use of poly ‐ phosphate (PP) has been important in this process, but these substances have been used together with salt and citric acid as excipients in the pre-processing of the shrimp. Utilization has been the best in the processing of thawed raw materials, but utilization has been significantly poorer in fresh shrimp. In Kampa shrimp processing, fresh shrimp are divided into two main categories; deep-sea shrimp and deep-sea shrimp caught in Ísafjarðardjúpur or Arnarfjörður. Ocean prawns have given better utilization than deep-sea prawns, which in most cases are smaller. The main purpose of this project was to compare the activity of these substances on thawed and fresh shrimp to improve utilization for the latter category. A study was set up to measure weight gain with differently strong blends and different times on fresh shrimp. Three experiments were performed, the first with both deep-sea shrimp and deep-sea shrimp, and the second two with only deep-sea shrimp. Studies were conducted from October 2011 to June 2012. The results of these studies strongly indicated that the pickling time of fresh shrimp needed to be shortened compared to thawed, but a traditional mixture gave the best results. This project was to test snail equipment from 3X Technology, Rotex, and compare the result with the traditional Kampa method, with 660 l. kerum. A new and cheaper method was introduced before this part of the study was carried out and it was therefore decided to cancel that part of the project. Instead, it was decided to focus on chemical research into the uptake of PP substances and what effect this would have on utilization in shrimp processing. Extensive research was started, but its scope is more than enough for a small project like this. Further research is therefore needed to complete this project, but the results obtained from this project are a good basis for further research. The result of the project is improved utilization for pelleting of deep-sea shrimp and deep-sea shrimp, which yields approx. one percentage point during processing.

The shrimp industry has achieved great success in improving the utilization of raw materials with the yield going from about 20% to over 40% in just over twenty years. Use of polyphosphates (a „poly ‐ phosphate„ (PP)) has been important in this process, but these materials have been used along with salt and citric acid as an excipient in the preliminary raw material method for shrimp. Best result has been in processing defrosted (frozen raw material) material with lesser yield using fresh material (unfrozen raw material). Kampi shrimp factory are mainly using two types of fresh raw material, in ‐ fjord shrimp from Arnarfjordur and Isafjardardjup, and deep water shrimp from fresh ‐ fish trawler fishing north of Iceland. The in ‐ fjord shrimp is generally smaller than the deep ‐ water shrimp. The main purpose of this project was to find a way to gain yield in processing the fresh material, and to transfer success in processing the defrosted shrimp to the fresh material. To do so a different strength of ingredients in pre ‐ maturing fluid in raw material method was used along with different time of maturing. The effect of this experience was recorded. Three experiments were conducted, the first with both in ‐ fjord shrimp and deep water shrimp, but the latter two with deep water shrimp only. Studies were conducted from October 2011 to June 2012. Results of these studies strongly indicated that a shorter time should be used for fresh material to gain better yield, but traditional combination of ingredients for maturing blend gave the best result. The second objective of this project was to test Rodex equipment from 3X Technology for raw material processing and compare the results with the traditional method Kampi uses, with 660 l. tubs. Before the test was conducted a new and cheaper method was introduced to this market, making the Rotex equipment unrivaled in this business. The project management team then decided to cancel this part of the project and to focus instead on chemical absorption studies for PP materials and the impact it would have on the utilization of the shrimp. Extensive studies were begun, but their scope is more than can be accomplished in a small project like this one. An advanced project will be needed to complete this study but the attainment of this study is an important input for further research in this area. The yield in fresh shrimp processed in Kampi have improved for about two percentage points as a result of this project, by using different maturing method for the raw material.

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Reports

Improved water usage in fish processing

Published:

01/12/2012

Authors:

Stefán Freyr Björnsson

Supported by:

AVS (S 12 004-12)

Improved water usage in fish processing

The aim of this preliminary project was to obtain basic information on water use in fish processing as well as organic substances lost in the effluent. With improved water use, it is possible to achieve operational efficiency and increase the value of production by utilizing by-products from the effluent from processing water. Water consumption in Iceland is much higher than in neighboring countries. Regulations are also being tightened with increasing restrictions on waste disposal and waste of water. The status of knowledge was examined with respect to the aforementioned factors to analyze the benefits of clean production technology in fish processing.

The project objective was to summarize state of the art knowledge concerning water usage and utilization of by-products from effluents in fish processing. Operation can be improved with better use of resources entailing increased value for raw material processed. Water usage in fish processing in Iceland is more than in neighboring countries, while environmental regulations are becoming stricter. Methods for cleaner fish processing were researched in terms of recommending improvements for fish processing factories.

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Reports

Fisheries management for the future / Fisheries management for the future

Published:

01/11/2012

Authors:

Sigríður Sigurðardóttir, Sveinn Margeirsson, Jónas R. Viðarsson

Supported by:

AVS, MariFish, FP7

Contact

Jónas Rúnar Viðarsson

Sviðsstjóri rannsókna

jonas@matis.is

Fisheries management for the future / Fisheries management for the future

This report is the final report to AVS in the Fisheries Management for the Future project, which was partly funded by the AVS Research Fund. This is Sigríður Sigurðardóttir's doctoral project in industrial engineering, where the main subject is modeling in fisheries management. The project itself, which is about halfway through, is part of two larger European projects, EcoFishMan and Badminton. This is not a standard final report as the project has not been completed, but the results of the work components and the detailed methodology will be available in the interim or final reports of both projects when they are published. Similarly, it is planned to publish the results in peer-reviewed articles. This report describes the European projects as a whole, then describes the areas covered by the AVS grant. Methodology and implementation are reported. The badminton project focuses on discard research and its causes. The work component that the Fisheries Management will cover in the future included a systematic analysis of methods for reducing discards, as the result is a kind of tool that fisheries managers can use in decision-making. The EcoFishMan project is intended to be a contribution to the review of the European Union's fisheries management system and focuses on co-operation. The work described here is about modeling grayling fishing in Iceland.

This is a final report to the AVS fund in the project Fisheries management for the future, which was partly funded by the AVS research fund. The project is a part of Sigriður Sigurðardottir's PhD in industrial engineering, where the main topic is to develop simulation modes on fisheries management. Sigriður's PhD, which is half-way done, is a part of two larger European projects, EcoFishMan and Badminton. This report therefore only report's on intermediate results in the larger contents. Further information will be available in reports and publications connected with EcoFishMan and Badminton. This report contains brief descriptions of the European projects and more detailed coverage of the progress, methodology and results in the work funded by AVS. Badminton is a project that focuses on the discarding problem in European waters. Fiskveiðistjórnun til framtíðar contributed to the project by analyzing mitigating measures and developed a kind of a decision support tool for resource managers to assist with decision making. EcoFishMan is a project that is to contribute to the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy of the EU, by implementing co-management and results-based management into European fisheries management. The part of EcoFishMan covered in this report describes simulation modeling for the Icelandic lumpfish fishery, which is a case study in EcoFishMan.

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Reports

From scuba diving / Gourmet Diving

Published:

01/11/2012

Authors:

Ólafur Ögmundarson (Matís), Bjarki Sigurjónsson (Matís), Þorleifur Eiríksson (NAVE), Kristjana Einarsdóttir (NAVE), Sveinbjörn Hjálmarsson, Alan Deverell, Guðmundur Helgi Helgason (Hótel Núpur), Tobias Klose (Dive.is)

Supported by:

AVS V 006-11 - Efforts for job creation

From scuba diving / Gourmet Diving

The aim of the project was to prepare for the establishment of a company by assessing the supply and distribution of seafood that would be lost and caught on the seabed at various diving sites in the Westfjords. This type of utilization increases the utilization and value of seafood acquired in coastal areas. Additional results from the project are also knowledge of the ecology of the seabed that has not been explored in this way before.

To research and evaluate the supply and distribution of edible marine organisms at various potential scuba diving sites in the Westfjords with the aim of establishing service with diving and snorkeling tours that involve collecting seafood, which can be consumed on the surface as part of a gourmet food experience.

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Reports

BADMINTON (Bycatch And Discards: Management Indicators, Trends and LocatiON)

Published:

01/11/2012

Authors:

Sveinn Margeirsson, Sigríður Sigurðardóttir, Elísabet Kemp Stefánsdóttir, Jónas R. Viðarsson

Supported by:

MariFish, Technology Development Fund

Contact

Jónas Rúnar Viðarsson

Sviðsstjóri rannsókna

jonas@matis.is

BADMINTON (Bycatch And Discards: Management Indicators, Trends and LocatiON)

The main objective of the project was to gain knowledge about discard patterns in Europe and to evaluate the effectiveness of discard measures, including the effectiveness of fishing gear. Another goal was to improve methods for assessing and managing bycatch and discards. Two main methods were used in the project. First, data collected under the European Union Data Collection Regulation (2002) was used, later the Data Collection Framework (2008). This is data collected nationally, where inspectors monitor fishing trips and record catches and discards. Data of this kind have some well-known flaws, it is expensive to collect and they inevitably have distortions, but are nevertheless important sources of information. In this project, this data was combined for several countries within the European Union. It was a complex process where data collection methods differed from country to country. This preparatory work will be useful for future projects, where the intention is to use data for more than one country. It is not possible to fully understand human behavior by examining statistical data. Understanding discards is no exception. Therefore, stakeholders and experts were also interviewed about their views on the discard problem. It was hoped that the interviews would add to the knowledge gained from the analysis of the specified data. The two methods used in the project led to the same two main results. Firstly, there is a large difference in discard patterns according to fishing areas, countries, fishing gear, vessel size and species. It seems that the biggest difference is between fishing areas and thus it is best for discard regulations to be adapted to each area. Second, discards, quantities, patterns, and their composition seem to depend on many factors. In particular, current EU Common Fisheries Policy and the interplay between its various components seem to have a major impact. As a result, the usefulness of different methods of reducing discards will be difficult to assess. It is very important which methods are used together.

Discarding keeps being an important issue in world fisheries; it is a way for fishers to adjust their landings to the legal and market constraints, but is largely considered as a waste of rare natural resources and as contributing to the depletion of stocks bearing a high fishing pressure. Many jurisdictions, including the European Commission, are preparing regulations to reduce or ban discards. To design effective regulations, an understanding of the extent and processes of the issue is required. The MariFish BADMINTON project aimed to build up the knowledge of discarding patterns and factors in European fisheries, evaluate the efficacy of selective devices and other discard management measures that have been implemented in the past, and improve methods to analyze, monitor, and manage bycatch and discarding. Specific objectives included the provision of discard estimates for selected European fisheries, and of appropriate indicators; the determination of the most important factors affecting discard amounts and composition; and the elaboration of integrated management approaches to the discard issue. BADMINTON relied on two types of approaches to fulfill these aims and objectives. First was the analysis of onboard observer data, since intensive collection of catch and discard data onboard commercial vessels has been undertaken in European countries under the European Union Data Collection Regulation (2002) followed and intensified by the Data Collection Framework (2008). Thus, one significant contribution of the project was to collate onboard observer data from several European Union member states, given the many differences between national onboard observer programs sampling schemes, protocols, details of data recorded, and data storage formats. This first step paves the way towards a future better integration of national onboard observer programs. The second approach was to conduct stakeholder interviews and expert consultation, which was meant to complement the data analyzes with fisher's perspectives on the discard issue, and to provide an integrated approach toward management. Both approaches lead to the following two broad conclusions: · Discard patterns exhibited high diversity across regions, countries, gear types, vessel sizes, and species, with variability being more pronounced among regions. Thus, discard management approaches might be devised at a regional level - consistent with the proposed regionalization of the currently discussed reform of the European Union Common Fisheries Policy. Discards amounts, patterns, and composition, are determined by a multitude of interacting natural and human (economic and social) factors in a given place and time, and usually no simple explanations can suffice. The project has developed a number of tools, distinguished in three categories ie. · Selectivity related tools · tools to appraise and understand the discarding issue · tools that can be used to assist in devising management strategies A discard management strategy should not include only a combination of discard mitigation measures; if discards are to be reduced, appropriate and consistent incentives need to be mended together.

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Reports

Prepared dishes from salted fish

Published:

31/10/2012

Authors:

Gunnþórunn Einarsdóttir, Jón Trausti Kárason

Supported by:

The AVS Fund

Prepared dishes from salted fish

The aim of the project was to develop ready-made salted fish dishes and salted fish buns. By using, among other things, unused raw materials such as cuttings, increased value can be created from seafood. The aim was to sell these products in the Nordic countries, the Spanish market and in Iceland. Ektafiskur has a traditional production of salted fish and no additives are used in the production. Saltfish is a well-known product in Spain and the Nordic countries, and Ektafisk's current products have been well received in both Spain and Iceland. In order to maintain and / or increase its market share, it is necessary for the company to further develop its product line in line with today's consumer demands. Developments in salted fish products have led to greater convenience for consumers in line with changes in lifestyles in recent decades.

The aim of the project was to develop pre-made salt-cod dishes and fishcakes. By using un-utilized raw materials like cut-offs added value can be created. The goal was to market the products developed in this project in the Nordic countries, Spain and in Iceland. Ektafiskur produces traditional salted cod and do not use any additives. Salted cod is a known product in Spain as well as in the Nordic countries. The products from Ektafiskur have been well received both in Spain and Iceland. To maintain and / or increase its market size it is essential that Ektafiskur continue to develop new products with consumer demand in mind. The development of salted cod products has been increasingly towards consumer comfort and changes in life patterns in the last decades.

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Reports

Experimental fishing and exploitation of Mueller's pearlsides

Published:

01/10/2012

Authors:

Ragnheiður Sveinþórsdóttir, Margrét Geirsdóttir, Hólmfríður Hartmannsdóttir

Supported by:

AVS Fisheries Research Fund

Contact

Margrét Geirsdóttir

Project Manager

mg@matis.is

Experimental fishing and exploitation of Mueller's pearlsides

Gulldepla has been seen to a small extent off Iceland in recent years, but an unusual amount has been seen off the south coast of Iceland in the winters of 2008/2009 and 2009/2010. Several vessels started trying to catch it in December 2008 and January 2009 with good results and the hearth went into smelting. In the project, various possibilities were considered regarding the utilization of the gold mine and it would be interesting to examine some of them better with regard to the increase in value that they could entail. The possibility of using gold nuggets in surimi, canning, feed in aquaculture, bait, pet treats or the production of bioactive substances was discussed. It was especially interesting to see how light products from gold dust turned out to be when bioactive substances were made from it, compared to the starting raw material and also what taste and smell turned out to be acceptable.

Mueller's pearlside has not historically occurred on Icelandic fishing grounds, but from 2008 pelagic fishers found an increase on the south coast of the country. Exploratory fishing trips were undertaken by a few ships in December 2008 and January 2009. The catch rate was acceptable and the catch was processed into fishmeal. In the project, multiple potential uses for pearlside were investigated and some produced results that indicated it would be worthwhile to research further due to the increased value they may lead to. For example, applications included surimi, canning, aquaculture feed, bait, pet treats or products with bioactivity. The most interesting result was how light the fish protein extracts were compared to the raw mince material when the bioactivity was explored, and also that the taste and smell were very acceptable.

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Reports

Dry curing of whale meat

Published:

01/10/2012

Authors:

Ásbjörn Jónsson, Óli Þór Hilmarsson

Supported by:

AVS Fisheries Research Fund

Contact

Óli Þór Hilmarsson

Project Manager

oli.th.hilmarsson@matis.is

Dry curing of whale meat

The aim of the project was to increase business development and innovation in the local area, within the town of Akranes, by assisting in the development of products from dried minke whale meat, with well-defined physical and taste characteristics. Two prototypes of the product were developed; Prototype 1 is based on dry-processed minke whale strips and Prototype 2 is based on minced minced meat that is shaped into pieces or strips and dried. This report reviews the product development history of these prototypes.

The aim of this project was to increase employment development and innovation in Akranes, by developing a prototype of dry cured whale meat, with defined physical properties and flavor. Two prototypes were developed, prototype 1 based on dry cured muscle slips from whale meat, and prototype 2 based on formed minced dry cured whale muscle. In this report an overview of the product development is described.

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