Reports

Production of salted fish in the Nordic countries. Variation in quality and characteristics of the salted products

Published:

01/12/2010

Authors:

Kristín Anna Þórarinsdóttir, Ingebrigt Bjørkevoll, Sigurjón Arason

Supported by:

NORA (Journal No. 510-036)

Contact

Sigurjón Arason

Chief Engineer

sigurjon.arason@matis.is

Production of salted fish in the Nordic countries. Variation in quality and characteristics of the salted products

The Nordic countries are the largest exporters of salted gadoid products, whereas countries in South ‐ Europe and Latin America are the biggest importers. In Norway, Iceland and Faroe Islands, cod is primarily used for the production. The characteristics of the salted fish, such as commercial quality and weight yield vary between the countries and between producers. These attributes are influenced by differences in catching methods, handling and salting methods. This report summarizes the variation in these procedures, and in addition, the market segmentation of salted products, from the different countries.

The majority of the world's salted fish production takes place within the Nordic countries, but the largest group of consumers is in Southern Europe and South America. Cod is the main raw material, but salted fish is also produced from other related species, such as saithe, ling, haddock and saithe. Properties of salted fish products, such as quality and utilization, vary between countries of production and producers. These variables depend on fishing methods, raw material handling and salting methods. The report is a summary of the variability in these factors between producing countries, as well as an assessment of their share in the salted fish markets.

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Reports

Use of RFID tags in fish processing, process control and traceability

Published:

01/11/2007

Authors:

Sveinn Margeirsson

Supported by:

AVS Fisheries Research Fund

Use of RFID tags in fish processing, process control and traceability

The aim of this project was to develop and implement RFID tags in fish processing. The project was funded by the ACP Fund. RFID tags are emoticons that emit radio waves. The project included the development of a methodology for maintaining batches from the reception of fish tanks and through processing, without slowing down the processing, the development of screw-on plastic caps with RFID tags to facilitate their replacement in fish tanks and the adaptation of RFID reading on forklifts. The project was supported by the results of two other projects, "Processing Forecast" and "Processing Forecast" and also benefited from work on the project "Profit Maximization". These projects have demonstrated the relationship between the origin of the catch and its processing characteristics and aim to use information recorded in fish processing to streamline and improve the management of the value chain of marine products, from fishing and to the market. A prerequisite for being able to use measurement results in forecasting is that the relationship between measurements carried out at different stages of production is known. In other words, the premise is traceability that is secured by RFID. The use of RFID tags in fish processing thus supports the work and development that has taken place in these projects, as the security and accuracy of the models used there are largely based on standardization in information processing. Such standardization is achieved precisely by implementing automation in the recording of material flows in the processing. The use of RFID tags has become quite widespread in retail, and the Wal-Mart retail chain has, among other things, taken advantage of the technology, which has been developing rapidly in recent years. It is considered to offer great potential for increased profits for companies in production and retail, among other things with less waste, improved possibilities for production and inventory management and possibilities for providing information to customers. Partners in the project were FISK Seafood, Matís, Maritech and Sæplast.

This project was aimed at developing and implementing RFID labels in fish processing. RFIDs are labels that transmit radio signals. The project included sustaining sequences from landing of fish tubs, through stockroom and processing, without slowing down the processing (sustaining sequences from catch to landing had been solved earlier). It also included the development of a plug, containing the RFID label, for easier exchange of labels and adjustments of RFID reading on a fork lift. The project took aim in, and collaborated with, other projects, such as “Processing forecast of cod” and “Contribution margin maximisation” (both funded by the AVS fund and Rannís), which have shown that the origin of catch and season of catch influences the processing properties of the catch. FISK Seafood, Matís, Maritech and Sæplast (Promens-Dalvík) collaborated on the project and it was funded by the AVS-fund, under the ministry of fisheries.

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EN