Method of processing fish and a fish processing plant

A processing station for processing fish of a single species and of different anatomic constitution having at least an end waste part, a body part and a transition between said end waste part and said body part, said processing station constituting a combined grabbing unit, separation unit and evisceration unit, characterized by:

• said grabbing unit comprising a first surface and an opposite located second surface, said first and second surfaces being movable relative to one another, said first and second surfaces defining an enclosure for accommodating said fish body, said enclosure having an open end for exposing said transition between said end waste part and said body part;
• said separation unit being located at said open end of said enclosure and comprising a set of separating elements, said set of separating elements defining an open position defining a distance between said set of separating elements for accommodating said transition, and a closed position where said set of separating elements is severing said transition;
• and
• said evisceration unit comprising a suction unit for subjecting said transition to a low pressure, said evisceration unit having an active position where said suction unit is positioned juxtaposed said open end, and a passive position where said suction unit is positioned remote from said open end.

A method for processing fish of a single species and of different anatomic constitution having at least an end waste part, a body part and a transition between said end waste part and said body part, said method comprising:

• providing a frame, defining a first end and a second end opposite said first end and including a fish loading area at said first end and a fish unloading area at said second end;
• providing an optical measurement unit located at said first end monitoring at least part of said fish loading area for producing a digital representation of said fish;
• providing a grabbing unit mounted on said frame downstream in relation to said optical measurement unit between said first end and said second end for collecting said fish from said fish loading area and placing said fish on said fish unloading area;
• providing a processing unit for receiving said digital representation of said fish and controlling said grabbing unit;
• and
• providing a separation arrangement located in relation to said grabbing unit so as to be operable for separating said end waste part from said body part at said transition;
• placing said fish on said fish loading area;
• determining said transition between said end waste part and said body part of said fish by using said processing unit;
• collecting said fish by using said grabbing unit controlled by said processing unit;
• and
• separating said end waste part from said body part at said transition.

A processing method for processing fish of a single species and of different anatomic constitution having at least an end waste part, a body part and a transition between said end waste part and said body part, said processing method comprise providing a processing station constituting a combined grabbing unit, separation unit and evisceration unit, characterized by:

• said grabbing unit comprising a first surface and an opposite located second surface, said first and second surfaces being movable relative to one another, said first and second surfaces defining an enclosure and said enclosure having an open end;
• said separation unit being located at said open end of said enclosure and comprising a set of separating elements, said set of separating elements defining an open position defining a distance between said set of separating elements for accommodating said transition, and a closed position where said set of separating elements is severing said transition;
• and
• said evisceration unit comprising a suction unit and having an active position where said suction unit is positioned juxtaposed said open end, and a passive position where said suction unit is positioned remote from said open end;
• said processing method further comprising the steps of:
• accommodating said fish body in said enclosure defined between said first and second surfaces and exposing said transition between said end waste part and said body part at said open end of said enclosure while having said separation unit in said open position and said evisceration unit in said passive position;
• and
• severing and eviscerating said fish by moving said separating element to said closed position and moving said evisceration unit to said active position and subjecting said transition to a low pressure.