Fish preservation (drying and smoking)?

Question

Fish preservation (drying and smoking)?

Answer 1

Drying is primarily done to draw out all the fluids from the flesh of the fish. This is because water will cause cell maceration leading to rot. Smoking the fish serves three purposes: it gives the fish a distinctive taste, it drives away insects which may lay eggs on the fish while it dries, it helps seal the exposed surface of the fish by adding a thin layer of particulates carried by the rising smoke.