A processing machine for removing the heads and collar bones from fish prior to filleting, etc, has an endless transporting system (2) for receiving fish, with means, arranged transversely to the direction of movement, for identifying or engaging the pectoral fins of the fish , and cutting and separating means (6). - An INDEPENDENT claim is included for a process for the separation of head and body sections where fish are received in a trough, preferably two-piece endless carrier provided with means of advancement, an overload switch (4), and circular or vertical fixed knives, each arranged at an angle of 10 -90 deg. to the length of the fish. The planes of the two blades intersect but the knives are separated by a distance of 2-3 mm; final severing of the head is achieved by a pulling device (9). The force necessary for cutting is exerted by a pushing bar (3) against which the heads of the fish are moved towards.
