Abstract: Certain farmed and/or breeding fish such as tilapia are filleted after the fish have been beheaded, slaughtered and had their ventral cavity opened. Cuts are made in the dorsal region and on the ventral side in the caudal region for exposing the dorsal spokes and ventral spokes, respectively. Then, separating cuts are made over the vertebral column connecting the dorsal and ventral cuts. Before peeling separation in the region of the ventral cavity, the ventral lobes are trimmed by separation of the ends of their ventral lobe portions projecting beyond the ribs. Peeling separation is completed by peeling cuts adapted to the rib contour and made with at least two degrees of freedom.

Abstract: A method for dividing up fillets of fish into fillet pieces and an apparatus suitable for performing this method are described. The apparatus comprises a known skinning device, upstream of which is connected a rotating cutting device. This comprises a cutter block, which provides the fillets with incisions extending at least up to the skin. The skinning of the thus prepared fillets by the downstream skinning device brings about the release of the fillet pieces, which, if need be, are held together by the skin.