Abstract:  The main objective of this review is to summarize the present state of knowledge of different ways of processing cod, giving emphasis to salting, drying, and desalting steps. As an introduction, a description of the main characteristics of the Gadidae family and cod species, the general chemical composition of fresh cod, and a reference to farmed cod is included. Statistics on world fishery and aquaculture cod production are also reviewed. It is expected that this review will contribute to build a current picture of the technical and scientific knowledge on the cod processing situation, helping to move forward and to support future developments in this important seafood industry.

Two groups of fish sausages were studied regarding quality changes during an 80-day storage experiment at 2°C. Formulations were identical with the exception of pork fat, 7.8%(w/w) in the control group, replaced by 5.2% (w/w) chicory root inulin and 2.6% (w/w) extra hake mince in the other. Control sausages were more elastic, cohesive, springy, and succulent, while substituted sausages presented higher gel strength and hardness. Both sausages presented an acceptable quality not only immediately after their production but also during storage at 2 ± 1°C. However, gel strength as well as textural and sensory hardness increased, and succulence showed a clear reduction during storage time. Moreover, for substituted sausages, saltiness and astringent aftertaste increased. Formulation had no effect on the microbial growth, which was low. However, microbiological changes occurred during storage time: growth of anaerobic spore-formers since the 45th and 43rd day for control and substituted sausages, respectively.

Barrento, S., Marques, A., Pedro, S., Vaz-Pires, P., and Nunes, M. L. 2008. The trade of live crustaceans in Portugal: space for technological improvements. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 65: 551–559. In Portuguese coastal areas, crabs and lobsters maintained alive until prepared for the table are commercially and economically very important. The trade in live crustaceans, mostly imported animals, is an interlinked and complex chain, from fishing, collection, holding facilities, and transportation, to the end-consumer, the various facilities playing a key role. Along the chain, animals can be affected by several stressors, inducing high mortality with consequent economic loss, and contributing to unsustainable exploitation of the resource. A survey was developed to characterize storage, transportation, and handling issues affecting various crustaceans at Portuguese holding facilities. In all, 22 facilities were identified and categorized by activity and water supply system. Despite the wide variation in their infrastructure, there were no major differences in mortality rate of crustaceans between importers, wholesalers, and exclusively retailers. At all facilities, Necora puber, Cancer pagurus, and Carcinus maenas had higher rates of mortality and shorter duration of captivity than Maja spp., Homarus sp., Panulirus regius, or Palinurus sp. Overall, the main problems identified were technical issues related to careless handling, high animal density, and the varying physiological needs of each species.

Bivalves are a high-value product whose production has markedly increased, reaching 9863 tonnes in Portugal in 2021. Bivalves’ habitats—lagoons, estuaries and coastal waters—are exposed to biological and anthropogenic contaminants, which can bioaccumulate in these organisms and pose a significant public health risk. The need to obtain a safe product for human consumption led to the implementation of standardised hygiene regulations for harvesting and marketing bivalve molluscs, resulting in routine monitoring of bivalve production areas for microbial quality, metal contaminants, and marine biotoxins. While excessive levels of biotoxins and metal contamination lead to temporary harvesting bans, high faecal contamination leads to area reclassification and impose post-harvest treatments. In this study, the seasonal and temporal variability of these parameters were analysed using historical data generated by the monitoring programme during the last decade. Moreover, the impact of the monitoring program on bivalve harvesting from 2011 to 2020 was assessed. This program presented a considerable improvement over time, with an increase in the sampling effort and the overall program representativeness. Finally, contamination risk, revising control measures, and defining recommendations for risk mitigation measures are given in the light of ten years’ monitoring.