Sablefish Canada Inc is launching its acclaimed Kyuquot Sound Black Cod into restaurants and high-end retail in Europe.
Black cod, or “sablefish”, is widely known in North America and is fast growing in global popularity thanks to its versatility and “large, velvety flakes and rich buttery flavour”.
Paul Simpson, marketing manager, Sablefish Canada, said: “As the only commercial farmer of Black Cod in the world, we feel we are best placed to introduce this product to the European market. This is a far superior fish when compared to the defrosted wild-caught Black Cod that Europe has received over the years and our project finally addresses the sustainability issues of the wild stock of this fish.”
Originally only available in Japan, the fish is now listed on Michelin star menus in North America and Hong Kong, and will provide European chefs with a new premium-quality fresh product 52 weeks of the year.
The fish are farmed in Kyuquot Sound, a remote area northwest of Vancouver Island, Canada, known for its pristine, cold, deep waters. The pens are almost 100ft deep in order to provide the deepsea species with the darkness and space they require.
Kyuquot Sounds Black Cod take 36 months to grow to market size, during which time they are raised only on specially-formulated organic diets.
They are harvested using a traditional Japanese system that eliminates tissue damage caused by excessive pH and lactic acid build-up.
Black Cod are delivered fresh in Europe and have a 12-day shelf life for raw consumption and an 18-day shelf life for cooked.
