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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