Whale of a New Snack Item at Aquariums Benefits Marine Conservation

Aquariums provide attractive venues to help educate patrons about marine conservation. The Monterey Bay Aquarium in Monterey California and The Birch Aquarium in La Jolla California are also offering something extra. On their food menu is a delicious,new, organic tortilla chip that provides funding for marine conservation.

San Diego, CA (PRWEB) September 5, 2006 -- Aquariums these days are offering their patrons a variety of new attractions, Including interactive displays, education camps, and fine dining. The Monterey Bay Aquarium in Monterey California and the Birch Aquarium at Scripps in La Jolla California are also offering something a little extra. These aquariums have placed a tasty new tortilla chip on their menus.

This delightful new chip, called “Whale Tails” is a perfect combination of form and function. The chip contains no trans fat and they are made with certified organic corn. Each chip is shaped like a whale's tail and seasoned with Hawaiian Sea Salt. The back of the Whale Tails' attractive package states that “a whale tail can move over 100 tons through water and that translates to a lot of guacamole on dry land.” I tried them in a bowl and they are correct. The chip has a delightful reddish color which comes from the Alaea flavoring. This gourmet sea salt has been used for centuries in the Hawaiian Islands to flavor corn that is roasted slowly over an open flame.

The “Splash Cafe” at the Birch Aquarium ordered Whale Tails Tortilla Chips immediately. “These chips are a perfect fit for our venue” said David Palmer, Food Service Manager, of the cafe. “Our cafe is less than 30 yards from a bronze whale tail fountain and the kids love the shape and the taste of these organic chips. It is nice to be able to offer a healthy snack that also contributes to marine conservation.” The reactions I saw on the faces of the kids at the Birch Aquarium while munching on Whale Tails Tortilla Chips proved that David was right. The kids at the lunch tables commented on the shape, eager to pull out another, and shouted “Hey look at this one”. One of the instructors of Birch's marine science summer camp said “ That is right, no two whale tails are the same. They are just like fingerprints and this helps researchers to identify individual whales in the ocean.” On their website whaletailschips.com I read about why the company was started. The company goal is to create an awareness of the need to conserve and protect our oceans. And they want to give people an opportunity to be a part of that. Even if it is as easy as munching on a bag of their great tasting tortilla chips. If you read the mission statements of almost every Aquarium you will see two points. One is to provide ocean science education and the second is to promote ocean conservation.

The Monterey Bay Aquarium has been at the forefront of the movement to use attractions as instructive devices. One of the Monterey Aquarium's most popular features,in addition to Whale Tails Tortilla Chips,is the Real-Cost Cafe, a video diner not to be confused with the aquarium's actual restaurants. In this unique high tech cafe you sit on a stool and choose your meal from the interactive electronic menu. On life-size video screens, actors playing Chef, Waiter, and Waitress let you know what they think of your choices, and why. Shrimp? About a quarter of every net is "by-catch," or other animals, which will be wasted. Farm-raised salmon? Uh-oh -- those holding pens can spread parasites and disease to wild salmon. Pacific halibut? Good choice -- the bottom longlines used to catch halibut cause little habitat damage. The Real-Cost Cafe lobbies visitors to eat sustainably and the aquarium's Center for the Future of the Oceans lobbies government leaders on behalf of ocean conservation. Monterey Aquarium is not alone in taking that stance. All aquariums are changing and it's what the public is looking for.

It is easy to see why the Birch and the Monterey Aquarium are offering Whale Tails Tortilla Chips. This new chip company has the same devotion to marine conservation, committing 10% of their profits to individuals and groups taking positive steps to conserving our marine environment. The next time you are at the Birch or Monterey Aquariums why not grab a bag of Whale Tails Tortilla Chips and taste a delicious way to get involved. The fact is no matter where you live, your life depends on the ocean.

For more information about Whale Tails Tortilla Chips, including where to buy them, customer comments, photos, and information about marine conservation visit: www.whaletailschips.com.

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