Marel aims to transform processing of tuna up to 9kg with its Curio filleting machine. The conventional industrial approach to cannning tuna is for fish to be cooked and separated from the bones – but this relies on sometimes scarce labour and has the disadvantage of failing to maximise the opportunities for by-products.
According to Marel, machine filleting reduces operational costs in the long term and enabled producers to reduce running costs while also harnessing the potential of by-product raw materials.
Filleting tuna by machine makes it possible to route tuna loins to be sold uncooked, or to be cooked for canning, while alsoo opening up possibilities for producing frozen raw portions and minced meat, , while by-products such as fish oils, collagen, pet food, and fish meal further contribute to added value.
This approach also conserves energy by reducing the cooking time required for processed tuna.
The Curio Fish Filleting Machine requires one operator to efficiently and automatically fillet skipjack and yellowfin tuna of up to 9kg. This significantly decreases production’s labour requirement, waste, and human error, while achieving a high throughput of up to 25 fish per minute.
The adaptable design, with adjustable frames, accommodates fish sizes from 400g to 9kg. There are four versions available and conversion kits to expand processing capabilities. Operation is straighforward, either at sea or onshore, with mechanical adjustments available to optimise yield and performance.
