Marine Farms Vietnam, in collaboration with Nordic Group, will launch a major public-relations campaign in the coming months to promote farmed cobia to U.S. restaurants, retailers and consumers.
In test markets, the sashimi-grade fish has received high marks for its versatility and flavor in buffets, chowders and sushi. The fish will be sold under the akvacobia brand.
The public relations program will include social media, a new website, cooking-demonstration videos, recipes developed by professional chefs, direct marketing and promotional materials for customers.
“We firmly believe that it is finally time for cobia to live up to its promise as the ‘next sensation in the seafood industry,’” said Terje Korsnes, CEO of Nordic Group in Boston. “We have gone through the quiet phase of product development. It is now time to raise the product profile and create awareness at every level of the trade.”
Carlos Massad, managing director of Marine Farms Vietnam, called cobia the “ideal” farmed fish.
“It compares in taste and has many of the same characteristics as Chilean sea bass and hamachi, grows to 12 pounds in just 12 months, has more omega-3 oils than salmon, and is priced competitively,” he said. “Importantly, Marine Farms Vietnam cobia, farm-raised in open sea cages at low population densities, targets the demand for a sustainable and stable supply of high quality white meat fish fillet.”
The Norwegian parent company, Marine Farms AS, has invested more than USD 10 million in developing the world’s largest cobia farming operation, utilizing proven Norwegian aquaculture techniques. The fish are fed the same nutritional profile as farmed salmon, with the feed ingredients derived from certified sustainable fisheries and without color additives.
Click here to view SeafoodSource Contributing Editor Mike Urch’s commentary “Will cobia fulfill its potential?”
Click here to view SeafoodSource Assistance Editor April Forristall’s report on King’s Seafood becoming the world’s first restaurant chain to feature farmed cobia from Vietnam.
