Abstract: A method for obtaining muscle flesh from beheaded fish by severing muscle flesh from dorsal and/or ventral spokes together with fins and fin holders as well as from ribs or lateral vertebral appendages and a vertebral column. The method uses an apparatus having severing means for severing the muscle flesh from the dorsal and/or ventral spokes which include a first tool and a second tool, each of which is provided with pairs of cutting means. The cutting means of the first tool and the associated bone guides can be controlled in height with respect to the position of their cutting edges and guide edges, respectively, relative to a conveying path. The cutting means of the second tool are constructed as knife blades arranged between the bone guides with the cutting edges pointing towards the conveying path. The knife blades are elastically displaceable away from the conveying path.

Abstract: An apparatus for skinning fish includes a pressure pad carrying an oscillating knife blade and defining a presser surface which faces the circumferential surface of a skinning roller, the pressure pad being mounted to yield against spring force. The oscillating knife blade is guided in a pocket formed in the pressure pad. This arrangement makes it possible to skin fish fillets without any splitting of the tail portion.