Mermaids have been a mythological phenomenon for centuries, and one seafood company is now ready to find out the truth.
Chicken of the Sea is offering $1 million to anyone who can successfully prove the existence of mermaids. The winner will be announced on March 29 to celebrate National Mermaid Day.
The rules are pretty straightforward: provide video evidence by Feb. 28 of a real-life mermaid, in addition to setting up an interview between said mermaid and the company’s mermaid expert, Dr. Ari Berk, professor of myth and folklore at Central Michigan University.
If you think you’ve got what they’re looking for, make sure you check out the full list of rules and eligibility requirements first. Just remember, “aquatic animals” and “mythical oceanic and/or water dwelling creatures” do not count as mermaids.
If no one is able to provide real-life footage of a mermaid, Chicken of the Sea has pledged to donate one million ounces of protein to food banks across the country.
(Yes, you read that right—if you win the money you’re directly taking food out of the mouths of people in need. Great.)
If you don’t feel like going out on a search party for mermaids, you can still take part in the competition by submitting a “mermaid–themed image or video” to Chicken of the Sea and entering the chance to win the “Swimmer’s Up” prize of $2,500.
Yes, we know this is just a PR stunt to get free press. And yes, we know we’ve served their purpose by posting this. But hey, we like reporting weird stuff.
