Urban Ocean Festival: Sneak Peak into Sustainable Seafood | @AquariumPacific #UrbanOcean

Last week, I was invited by the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach to a special harbor cruise in honor of Earth Day.  The cruise gave myself and other media a chance to get a sneak peak at the Urban Ocean Festival that will take place on May 3 and 4th.  

We arrived at the Harbor Breeze Cruise docks next to the Aquarium and boarded one of their many vessels.  As we sat in the comfortable galley, we were treated to a sustainable seafood demo of mackerel, greens and seasonings.  It left us asking for the recipe and wanting more!

  

After our snack, we climbed to the top deck of the boat to enjoy 2 of the designs of the Trash'in Fashion show.  

  

This design was created using items found on the beach and the Pacific Gire.  (the area far out to sea where the currents come together)  The nets were found by boat captain and were recovered before they could harm the wildlife.  The small sand toys are a common sight on all local beaches.  

  

The next creation was made using recycled items found in most households.  The gown created with tall kitchen trash bags with aluminum pull tabs as decor for the straps.  My favorite part of this fashion item was the "Arizona" aluminum can "flower" with veil.  

The festival will be the host to the Trash'in Fashion show along with:

• Harbor cruise
• Art
• Poetry
• Live Music
• Sustainable seafood cooking demo's and more

There were two examples of the artwork that would be show-cased at the festival.  Each represented a way to show human impact on our oceans.

  

The Pacific waters off Southern California host a variety of industrial and recreational activities and also provide habitat for a diverse array of animals. Visitors to this festival can learn more about and better appreciate the urban ocean. During the festival, the Aquarium will debut its new film about aquaculture (fish/shellfish farming), which will be shown daily in its Ocean Science Center. 

There will be special boat programs during the festival and the summer at an additional cost. 

The Urban Ocean: World Port and Sea Life Cruise: 

• Occurs monthly through September (at 4:00 p.m. on June 14, July 12, August 9, and September 6). 
• The Poetry Ocean Cruise is scheduled for Saturday, May 3 at 2:30 p.m. The Urban Ocean Festival is included with admission—$28.95 adult (12+), $25.95 senior (62+), $14.95 child (3-11), and free for children under age three and Aquarium members.
•  The combo prices for Aquarium admission and Urban Ocean Cruises aboard Harbor Breeze Cruises are: $39.95 adult (12+) and $15 child. 

For info: (562) 590-3100 or www.aquariumofpacific.org

Facebook.com/AquariumofthePacific / Twitter: @AquariumPacific / YouTube.com/AquariumofthePacific

ABOUT HARBOR BREEZE CRUISES:

Harbor Breeze Cruises has been providing public whale watching, world port, and charter cruises for over 20 years in the Los Angeles and Orange County areas. Their experienced captains provide comprehensive narration about the characteristics of each cruise. The double-deck sightseeing vessels are U.S. Coast Guard-inspected, certified safe, and are complete with seating, snack bar, restrooms, salon, and plenty of outside viewing room for everyone. For more information, visit www.tickets.harbor-cruises.com