The Continuous Flow Crustacean Stunner

The Stunner has been developed and patented by Studham Technologies International Ltd. of England, and is manufactured under licence.

Apart from the economic advantages which this machine brings to Shellfish Processors in the elimination of holding tanks and staff costs, it anticipates humane slaughter legislation currently being considered throughout Europe which is likely to be extended to aspects of seafood processing.

Live product is loaded onto a conveyor-belt which passes through a water tank. Electrode plates positioned above, make contact with the shellfish as it is conveyed and passes a small current through its shell. Within seconds the shellfish is rendered unconscious and killed before being conveyed to the cooking stage. There is no need for prior killing whether manually or in freshwater tanks.

Beyond the humanitarian benefits, the electronic stunner, installed as part of the continuous flow cooking process, brings many advantages to the processor:

• Fast, clean efficiency.
  The system can be sized to accommodate volume throughput, and thus runs at the speed as required by the processor.
• Cuts operational costs.
  The system eliminates the need for manual killing or freshwater drowning of crabs.
• Conforms to Standards of Humane Animal Slaughter which are, in many countries, now being extended to apply to shellfish. Reduces stress in food animals, and improves meat quality.
  A crab can take between 8-12 hours (depending on the temperature) to die in freshwater. During this time the production of cortisol and other hormones as a response to stress, adversely affects meat quality. Crabs and lobsters treated with this equipment produce meat of noticeably better taste and texture.
• Safely usable by unskilled staff.
  Live product is placed on the conveyor by hand. The rest of the process is carried out automatically. The electrical system shuts down if access doors are opened.