Merle Liivand, affectionately known as “Mermaid Merle,” is embarking on her fifth Guinness World Record attempt, a monumental 30-mile (50km) swim around Biscayne Bay in Miami, Florida. But her mission extends far beyond breaking personal bests: she’s simultaneously undertaking a vital effort to collect trash from the heavily impacted waters.
The ambitious swim comes amidst growing environmental concerns for Biscayne Bay. A recent report from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection highlighted alarmingly high levels of debris in the bay, posing a significant threat to its diverse wildlife and impacting public safety.
Liivand, a passionate environmental activist and monofin swimmer, is using her incredible endurance and unique “mermaid” style (swimming with a monofin and without using her arms) to draw global attention to the urgent issue of marine pollution. Her previous record-breaking swims have often incorporated similar cleanup efforts, earning her the additional nickname “Eco Mermaid.”
As she navigates the challenging 30-mile course, “Mermaid Merle” will be actively collecting litter, aiming to make a tangible difference while also raising awareness about the critical need for cleaner oceans. Her daring initiative serves as a powerful visual reminder of the environmental challenges facing vital ecosystems like Biscayne Bay and inspires others to take action for ocean conservation.
