THE AMERICAN SHRIMP INDUSTRY 



601 



oxidation and loss of moisture while the shrimp are in cold storage. In others the 

 cartons have several holes in the bottom approximately a half inch in diameter. 

 After the freezing is completed, the cartons are immersed in cold water and 

 quickly removed. The frozen shrimp cause a glaze of ice to form on their surfaces, 



(Ct : /i,j of Atlantic Coast Fisheries Co.) 

 Fig. 28-3. A package of frozen shrimp. 



giving them a protective coating, and the surplus water drains from the carton 

 through the holes in the bottom. 



Some plants pack shrimp in metal pans designed for freezing. They may contain 

 up to 30 pounds, but are usually of 5- and 10-pound capacity. The shrimp are 

 packed tightly in the pan and frozen, after which the block is removed and glazed 

 by dipping in cold water, or the spaces between the shrimp filled with cold water. 

 The shrimp are then frozen in a block. This method reduces evaporation of water 

 from the shrimp to a minimum during the freezing period. 



After the blocks of frozen shrimp are removed from the pans, they are packed 

 in cartons or wooden boxes of 100- to 150-pounds capacity; these are lined with 

 protective wrapping material or cellophane. They are then stored for future ship- 

 ment or may be shipped immediately to distribution points thi"oughout the country. 



There are a few continuous freezers in operation in the shrimp industry; these 

 are designed with a horizontal moving metal belt of woven or stainless steel wire. 

 The freshly washed shrimp drop onto the belt as they come from the washer and 

 are carried through an insulated box fitted with freezer coils. The speed of the 

 belt is so regulated that the shrimp freeze individually while passing through the 

 low temperature of the box. At the discharge end the frozen shrimp are weighed 

 into cartons containing 30, 40, or 50 pounds and, in a few instances, 100 pounds. 

 The cartons are lined with a protective material or closely fitting bags. When the 



