AbstractsEngineering

Dungeness crab is an important fishery on the Pacific Coast. The processing subsystem of the fishery is hampered by a variety of problems that have acted to impede technological innovations that could improve efficiency and sanitation in seafood plants. This paper provides background for problems encountered by the processors, discusses the existing plant operations, and points out problems inherent with the existing system. System. I presents solutions to identified problems, the principle ones being a crab butchering machine to replace the manual-operation; improved work design method for shucking crab meat; and a multi-purpose shaker table to combine the freshening, inspection, de-watering and can-filling operations. If all equipment and procedure changes recommended in System I are implemented, an estimated capital investment of $18, 350 will yield an annual savings of $13, 600. System II presents new concepts in crab processing. This system incorporates, a centrifuge to separate meat from the shell, a forming machine to make meat more consumer acceptable, cryogenic freezing to improve quality and improved packaging to increase sales. Finally, the following nine specific areas are identified for future studies: 1) cooking 4) crabmeat centrifuge 7) cryogenic freezing 2) cooling 5) formed body meat 8) packaging 3) shucking 6) crabmeat water content 9) Tanner crab Most of the above topics relate to the further design and refinement of System II, but probably the most important area for development lies in the Tanner crab fishery. Harvesting of this untapped species, in Oregon, will aid employment stabilization and increase effectiveness of people and plant facilities.