Shuck bivalves by hand

URN: IMPFP111
Business Sectors (Suites): Fish and Shellfish Operations
Developed by: Improve
Approved on: 2025

Overview

This standard is about shucking bivalves by hand. It details the skills and knowledge required to set-up and shuck bivalves using a knife. It is also about working to organisational product specifications and production schedules.
 
You must be able to prepare to shuck bivalves by hand. You must also be able to shuck bivalves. You must also be able to complete shucking operations. You must also know how to address problems and adhere to regulatory standards and standard operating procedures and be able to apply your skills and knowledge within food safety and health and safety regulations and any relevant international industry codes. You should also have an understanding of how the green circular economy supports repeated use of resources and products within your organisation.
 
This standard is for you if you work in the fish and shellfish industry and shuck bivalves.


Performance criteria

You must be able to:

  1. confirm process specification and organisational requirements and standards
  2. prepare and maintain work station throughout the process
  3. obtain tools and equipment required to support shucking process, including hygiene and personal protective equipment
  4. obtain bivalves to meet required process specification
  5. shuck bivalves to achieve required yield and quality requirements
  6. remove all unwanted body parts and clean bivalve~~s~~ meats
  7. achieve required rate of production
  8. handle and store bivalve meats in a manner which maintains quality and condition
  9. make sure the product is transferred to the next stage in the process according to organisational requirements
  10. dispose of waste material according to organisational procedures
  11. complete records according to organisational requirements

Knowledge and Understanding

You need to know and understand:

  1. what the organisational standards are and what may happen if they are not followed
  2. the hygiene and personal protective clothing that is required to support shucking
  3. the tools and equipment required to support bivalve shucking
  4. how to maintain and store knives
  5. how to obtain and interpret the relevant process and quality specifications
  6. how to identify different bivalve species
  7. how to prepare and maintain work stations in a condition suitable for shucking
  8. how to shuck to achieve the required product specification
  9. how to assess the quality of bivalves and bivalve meats
  10. common quality problems associated with bivalve shucking and their likely causes
  11. the importance of removing all unwanted body parts from bivalves
  12. how to deal with bivalves and bivalve meats that are not fit for use
  13. what action to take when the process specification is not met
  14. product control and traceability during processing operations
  15. how to dispose of waste according to organisational procedures and regulatory requirements
  16. the limits of your own authority and competence and why it is important to work within those limits
  17. what recording, reporting and communication is needed, how to carry this out and the reasons why it is important to do so

Scope/range


Scope Performance


Scope Knowledge


Values


Behaviours


Skills


Glossary


Links To Other NOS


External Links


Version Number

1

Indicative Review Date

2028

Validity

Current

Status

Original

Originating Organisation

Improve

Original URN

IMPFP111

Relevant Occupations

Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies, Manufacturing Technologies, Plant and Machine Operatives, Process Operatives

SOC Code

8111

Keywords

Bivalves, shuck, shucking, production, knife, hygiene, health, safety, process