Three Clearwater Beach restaurants raised $5,000 for Clearwater Marine Aquarium by donating a dollar from every Chubby Mermaid cup sold, the St. Petersburg-based Beachside Hospitality Group announced Aug. 5.

That's 5,000 cups.

The campaign ran at Salty's Island Bar & Grille on South Gulfview Boulevard, Crabby's Dockside on Causeway Boulevard and Crabby's Pavilion at 10 Bay Esplanade. The $5,000 will support CMA's research and animal rescue programs, according to the Tampa Bay Beacons.

The Clearwater effort was part of a larger $15,000 fundraiser across Beachside Hospitality's Pinellas and Manatee county locations. A parallel Chubby Mermaid campaign at three Manatee County restaurants raised $10,000 for Mote Marine Laboratory's manatee rehabilitation programs, elevating the company's partnership with Mote to "Bay Partner" status, SRQ Magazine reported Aug. 4.

"Our restaurants are rooted in Florida's coastal communities, so supporting the organizations that help protect them is important to our team and guests," CEO Greg Powers said in a statement reported by the Tampa Bay Beacons. He added that the company plans to expand its conservation partnerships with events throughout the year.

Beachside Hospitality Group, founded in 2014, operates restaurants across Florida and employs nearly 1,200 people as of early 2026. The company expanded its Clearwater Beach footprint in January when it acquired Palm Pavilion Beachside Grill & Bar, bringing its local count to at least five locations on the beach, the St. Pete Catalyst reported.

CMA, the nonprofit marine rescue center on Windward Passage in Clearwater, is home to rescued dolphins, sea turtles and other marine animals. The aquarium conducts research on manatees, North Atlantic right whales and sea turtles through its Research Institute.

No specific dates for the next fundraising campaign have been announced, though Powers signaled the Chubby Mermaid cup effort is intended as an annual initiative rather than a one-time event.