Marine Farms is launching farmed cobia at the European Seafood Exposition in Brussels.
This unique and extremely versatile white fish will be on display on the Seaproducts of Scotland stand, where visitors will have the opportunity to taste cobia, and learn more about its route to market.
Cobia is being farmed to European standards off the coast of Vietnam, where Marine Farms has applied its experience and expertise to build a pioneering seafood and aquaculture facility. It is an ideal species for aquaculture, partly because it is fast growing – reaching market size (6-7kg) in just one year, giving year-round availability.
As the world seeks new sustainable solutions to feed a growing population, Marine Farms is confident that cobia will be well received on the European market. Carlos Massad CEO of Marine Farms Vietnam, explains: “Cobia has so much to offer. It has excellent eating qualities and can be cooked in many different ways including poaching, grilling and frying. Its mild flavour and firm texture mean it is also ideal for use in sashimi and sushi. Cobia also has a very good nutritional profile; although technically a white fish, it does have a high oil content of approximately 20%, and is a good source of omega 3.”
Seaproducts of Scotland, which is the sales and marketing arm of Lakeland Group, the UK subsidiary of Marine Farms, will supply frozen cobia throughout the EU. Marine Farms will also be supplying cobia to the US, where it will be available from the Nordic Group.
Marine Farms Vietnam is farming cobia off the coast of Van Phong Bay, near Nha Trang, where conditions are ideal for rearing the fish. Production, which reached 500 tonnes in 2009, is predicted to hit 1500 tonnes this year and 2000 tonnes in 2011. In five years’ time it will be up to 4000 tonnes, says Mr Massad, who adds that the site has a projected maximum production of 5000 tonnes and that more grow-out sites in the sea off central Vietnam are being sought.
Once harvested, the cobia are processed by hand and frozen at a local EU approved processing plant before being shipped to Seaproducts of Scotland for onward distribution.
