Icelandic processing and grading specialist Marel will launch a revolutionary pin-bone remover on to the market early in 2003.
The announcement has been made after two years of research, planning and testing in association with the Norwegian fishing industry and Government agencies.
The design of the machine aims to cut down on labour costs and will initially involve cod with the possibility of other species being used that have similar bone structures to cod.
Different from any other pin-bone remover the new Marel system will pull out the bones rather than cutting around them. Marel's senior director for product development, Asgeir Asgeirsson told World Fishing that the company is looking to lower the yield loss to around 3-4%.
The unique design will also allow users to select the most valuable parts of the fish which will mean value gain benefits of 10-15%. The system will also be used with an x-ray machine to check that all fillets are clean from any bones.
According to Aasgeir Asgeirsson, tests in Denmark and Norway have been very successful.
