FISH CLEANING APPARATUS AND METHODS

摘要

Apparatus and associated methods for cleaning residual visceral matter from the belly cavity (57) of a gutted fish (56). The cleaning apparatus includes a scraper (16) attached at the mouth of a suction tube (12) by a hinge (32). An actuator (34) pivots the scraper about the hinge between an extended position biased into contact with the interior wall of the belly cavity and a retracted position out of contact with the wall. In the retracted position, the scraper covers the mouth (28) of the suction tube to prevent dislodged visceral matter from falling back into the belly cavity. In the extended position, the scraper uncovers the mouth of the suction tube to allow scraped visceral matter to be sucked from the belly cavity.