Refrigerated Storage In Fisheries

This document is intended to serve as a background paper as well as an introduction to the operations and equipment used in the freezing and cold storage of fish both on shore and at sea. It gives a broad outline on how deterioration of fish quality can be reduced by the application of low temperatures. It reviews various types of freezing equipment for use ashore or at sea; the requirements for cold stores and their construction; the factors affecting cold storage conditions, etc. In addition, the publication describes the methods used to calculate cold storage refrigeration loads as well as the costs of freezing and cold storage. Safe operation of cold stores is also covered. A list of publications on the subject is given in the list of references.

This paper gives a broad outline of fish quality deterioration and how this is reduced by lowering fish temperature and by storage at this temperature. It further elaborates on the refrigerated storage practices including their technical, operational, administrative and planning aspects. A substantial part of the paper is devoted to the types, construction, proper usage and maintenance of facilities and equipment involved in the refrigerated storage of fish. An attempt has been made to include as much material relevant to developing fisheries as was available. In the appendix the paper offers practical suggestions on a few issues of refrigerated fish storage operations, such as sensory evaluation of raw material, sanitation and housekeeping, safety, etc.

Discusses various aspects of designing and building cold storage facilities. Addresses some of the points to help processors formulate ideas, plans, and questions as they deal with contractors and suppliers. Written for seafood processors in the cold storage planning stage.

Fish and seafood are highly perishable, and must be preserved immediately after being caught or harvested. It is very important both to preserving its quality and to ensure that it does not pose any risks to human health upon consumption. Chilling, refrigeration and freezing are the major preservation methods used with seafood and fish products, all three processes aiming to preserve the freshness and flavour of the fish. Consumer demand for fish remains high despite escalating prices in the last ten years which have seen the retail cost of the most popular breeds (cod, haddock, salmon) more than double for unfrozen fish. Many consumers appear to be willing to pay a premium for freshness and quality, both of which are closely linked in shoppers’ minds with the efficient chilling and refrigeration of the fish along the supply chain. At the same time, frozen fish and seafood has also grown more popular with shoppers, as a cheaper, more convenient alternative to refrigerated fresh fish and seafood. Seafood Chilling, Refrigeration and Freezing presents the science behind the chilling, refrigerating and freezing of fish and seafood, describing the chemical, microbiological and physical changes which take place during preservation, and considering the new technologies which can be used, highlighting their benefits and their economic implications. The book takes account of the different requirements for different breeds of fish and seafood, and includes both traditional and novel technologies, providing both current and future perspectives. It will be required reading for food scientists, fish processors and retailers as well as fish specialists, researchers and process designers.

Contains preliminary data.