Fishermen! If I net anchovies, how to preserve them? Have to be cleaned? I've only worked with canned before

Question

I've never worked with frresh anchovies before. but I want to. Also I want to preserve some with salt for later. Again, must I gut each one...? Are they safe to eat unprocessed? Please don't laugh! I haven't done this before. Thanks to all serious answers!

Answer 1

Sun drying is still used to preserve anchovies.
However, my grandfather washed the fresh fish, gut it and buried it in coarse sea salt.
Make sure to use a sterile glass jar, layer sea salt then a single layer of anchovies, another layer of sea salt, and so on. Be very generous with the salt!
Then, you can store it in the refrigerator for about a year.
When you are ready to use the anchovies soak them first or rinse, and then take out the bone.
Hope this helps!