Shelby Thomas
Shelby Thomas, Ocean Rescue Alliance International, restores marine ecosystems. The non-profit has installed more than 300 modules, some in the form of mermaids, as living reefs off southern Florida. They are ideal spots for coral restoration, marine life, research and tourism. Shelby is the latest guest on the Wo(men) Mind the Water Artivist Series on womenmindthewater.com.
Merle Liivand
Merle Liivand is an aquapreneur, plastic pollution reduction advocate, Guinness World Record holder and mermaid. The Estonian-born swimmer holds several Guinness World Records her latest was achieved on April 15, 2023, in a little over 14 hours. Merle swam 50 kilometers using a monofin, a record setting swim for the longest distance swum using a monofin. It's a feat because she swam the distance without using her arms by undulating her lower body up and down mermaid-style.