Trolls can be tamed with fish – Fishupdate.com

Trolls can be tamed with fish Published:  15 June, 2007

DEEP in the Norwegian mountain there lives a troll feared for its appetite. The troll is so hungry that he wants to eat all the small elves in the forest. However, he promises to leave them if they can catch fish for him. As soon as the troll starts eating fish things starts to happen. He becomes kinder, healthier and better looking , according to a children’s book launched in the French market by the Norwegian Seafood Export Council.

In what is an innovative approach to communicating the positive health benefits of fish, the Norwegian Seafood Export Council (NSEC)has used a fairytale.

“We wanted to use a fairytale to communicate the positive health effects gained by eating more fish for various reasons. A children’s book with funny characters, recipes and an exciting story is a fine way to communicate to both children and their parents. Many parents will read this book together with, or for their children. The recipes and the positive health message will hopefully inspire the entire family to choose Norwegian Seafood for dinner, says Stal Heggelund from the Norwegian Seafood Export Council (NSEC).”

The book is intended for the French marked, but a translation to German and English has already been made. The book has been very well received in France where it has been distributed through schools and kinder gardens.

Heggelund from NSEC explains that the story of the book takes a dramatic turn when all the wild fish is caught. To supply the Troll with enough fish the elves start with fish farming. By introducing fish from aquaculture, the story is also used to show how farmed fish is an important part of Norwegian seafood industry.

The troll loves the fish and becomes both healthier and happier. When the elves have made all the recipes they know the troll and the elves becomes friends.

“Our important messages regarding seafood and its many positive effects must be presented trough various channels,” explains Stål Heggelund.

“In our communication directed towards children, we have both used fairytales and childrens newspapers with excellent results,” he concludes.

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