Blue Ocean Mariculture – a Kona, Hawaii, U.S.A.-based mariculture company – has hired Dave Mergle to lead its marketing and sales strategy for Hawaiian Kanpachi, the firm announced on 1 June.
Mergle spent the previous 11 years working for Ocean Quality, with the last seven of those years spent as the managing director of the Skuna Bay brand. He was responsible for founding and leading the super-premium salmon brand, helping to grow it by using premium placements, such as partnerships with the James Beard Foundation and the U.S. Open Tennis Tournament.
Mergle announced he’d be leaving Skuna Bay on 14 May, to seek out new challenges.
"I wanted to get back to what was important to me: Adding value to innovative farmers, connecting with America’s top chefs, and developing high quality products in new markets,” he said. "Hawaiian Kanpachi is an amazing fish with tremendous potential. Blue Ocean's vision and the team's drive made this opportunity the perfect next step in my career."
Blue Ocean Mariculture President Todd Madsen said the company is happy to have Mergle on board as it develops the market for Hawaiian kanpachi.
"We're excited to work with one of the seafood sector’s top brand marketing and sales experts after his success in the farmed salmon world," Madsen said. "Dave's expertise will accelerate our product development efforts and entry into new markets, and it reaffirms our commitment to our leadership position in sustainable open ocean aquaculture."
According to Madsen, Chris Kruse, the company's executive vice president, will continue to serve with Blue Ocean as an advisor to the board.
"Chris was instrumental in standing up our initial sales and marketing capability and its early success," Madsen said. "I look forward to his continued input on strategic issues as we grow the company."
