Marine Farms to Launch Major Marketing Campaign for Cobia

BOSTON, Jan. 20, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Marine Farms Vietnam, in collaboration with Nordic Group, will launch a major public relations campaign in the coming months to promote farm-raised cobia to restaurants, grocery stores, caterers, and consumers in the United States.

The sashimi-grade fish has been test marketed and received high marks for its versatility and flavor by restaurant groups nationwide where the cobia has been served plated, in buffets, chowders, and sushi.

The public relations program will include social media, a new website, cooking demonstration videos, recipes developed by professional chefs, direct marketing, presentations, media relations, 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 (www.nordicgroupUSA.com).

"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, calls cobia  "the ideal aquaculture 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.  

"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," he said.

The Norwegian parent company, Marine Farms A/S, has invested more than $10 million in developing the world's largest cobia fish farming operation, utilizing proven Norwegian aquaculture techniques. The fish are fed the same nutritional profile as farm-raised salmon, but without color additives, with all fish feed ingredients derived from certified sustainable fisheries.

Marine Farms Vietnam processes the cobia in a purpose built, Japanese owned facility to certified sashimi grade specifications.  The fish is frozen and vacuumed packed as long loins and skinless/boneless fillets. Food professionals recognize Japanese sashimi grade as the highest standard of quality in fish.

Nordic Group is the exclusive marketing agent for Marine Farms Vietnam in the United States and Canada. The fish will be sold under the akvacobia brand (www.akvacobia.com).

Wanger Associates, a public relations agency with experience in the seafood industry, has been retained to lead the public relations and promotional campaign.

SOURCE Marine Farms Vietnam