Drowning in Plastic

Recently, Bored Panda featured an article on photographer Benjamin Von Wong. Quite a few other news outlets have also carried the story.

The photographer created a number of photos of mermaids drowning in an ocean of ten thousand plastic bottles. This was done to draw attention to the effects of plastic pollution in our oceans and waterways.

"Statistically, an average American uses about 167 plastic bottles each year, so by the time he’s 60 the total will be around 10,000."

The article features a number of Benjamin Von Wong's photographs. There is also background information on how the shots were created.


Mermaid Stuff

In a humorous article found at Slate, Heather Schwedel discusses the hottest new trend, Mermaid Stuff. She warns us not to allow mermaids to distract us from current events.

"It’s dark in the ocean, for one thing. There are sea witches lurking everywhere. Ocean monarchies might be even more patriarchal than above-ground ones — we just don't know."

I hope you enjoy the article, but do not be distracted by the gold mermaid in the photo.


Five Years

Today (December 20th) marks the fifth anniversary of this blog! A total of 249 Cynthia Mermaid articles have been posted so far.

Here are the most popular blog posts from the past five years:

Mako Mermaids - My post on the sequel to H2O: Just Add Water earns my most popular blog post award with over 3550 views.
http://cynthiamermaid.blogspot.com/2013/03/mako-mermaids.html

Rare Whale - Second place goes to the Spade-Toothed Beaked Whales featured in this blog post.
http://cynthiamermaid.blogspot.com/2012/11/rare-whale.html

Merman Patrick - My interview of Merman Patrick has been my most popular interview.
http://cynthiamermaid.blogspot.com/2012/06/merman-patrick.html

Giant Squid - The giant squid has many fans.
http://cynthiamermaid.blogspot.com/2012/12/giant-squid.html

Ocean Minds and More - This blog post covered the Ocean Minds web site as well as mermaid themed recipes.
http://cynthiamermaid.blogspot.com/2012/02/ocean-minds-and-more.html

Mermish 101 - A number of mermaid language dialects have been created, but which ones are actually useful?
http://cynthiamermaid.blogspot.com/2012/01/mermish-101.html

Tail Makers - Ready to discover your inner mermaid or merman? Here is where you can buy yourself a tail.
http://cynthiamermaid.blogspot.com/2012/03/tail-makers.html

Thank you all for your readership these past five years. Send me an email at the address below to help spread the word about YOUR mer activities. You may also write to request that I interview you for a future blog post.


Best wishes and starfishes,
-Mermaid Cynthia
cynthia (at) goldmermaid.com

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Making (Sand) Dollars

Despite the chlorine and salt water in their eyes, professional mermaids really enjoy their jobs. Join Bloomberg Business Week and professional mermaid Linden Wolbert as they discuss the many businesses that sprung up around the growing mermaid community.

Mermaid Linden Wolbert

"The larger mermaid economy is as diverse as sea life itself."

The Bloomberg article by Caroline Winter includes a 3.5 minute video. Find out more about Mermaid Linden at her web site, Mermaids In Motion. You may also wish to check out the blog post I did with Mermaid Linden back in February of 2012.


Aquatic Ape Theory

An August article at Exemplore explains the Aquatic Ape Theory, and discusses whether it can be used as proof that mermaids exist.

"Like any cryptid with an enduring legacy, mermaids are still seen around the world today. Unfortunately, there is also the occasional hoax, manipulated video footage, and plain-old honest mistake."

The article also includes a discussion of what real-life mermaids would be like. Intelligent for sure, but what other traits would they have?

An interesting article on a controversial topic, certainly worth a read.


Best wishes and starfishes,
-Mermaid Cynthia
cynthia (at) goldmermaid.com

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Safari Boo 2016

On Friday the 21st, River Safari Singapore kicks off this year's Safari Boo Halloween event. The event features four mermaids swimming alongside manatees in a 9-meter deep tank.

The four performers are led by Cara Nicole Neo, much better known as Mermaid Syrena, head of the Singapore mermaid school.

"The merry-not-scary Halloween event will be held over two weekends, from Oct 21 to 23 and Oct 28 to 30."

Get all the details and watch the 1.5-minute video in this article at Channel News Asia.


Mermaid BnB

Looking for the perfect place to 'get away'? Casa Caracol, located on Isla Mujeres in Mexico, may be the perfect place. Casa Caracol is a shell-shaped mermaid-inspired home that runs $308 US per night.

"And, of course, no mermaid home would be complete without a beachfront bedroom. This luxurious king-size bed with a shell-shaped headboard will guarantee a relaxing night filled with wonderful dreams."

Plenty of photos of this fun Airbnb destination can be found in an article by Daniela Galvez at the Vivala travel site.


Best wishes and starfishes,
-Mermaid Cynthia
cynthia (at) goldmermaid.com

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Swimming Competition

Mermaids and mermen are everywhere. Many are professionals, while others swim for fun and relaxation. So, it was about time for a mermaid/merman swimming competition.

Recently, over 100 merfolk attended just such a competition in Suhl, Germany. Hattie Gladwell at Metro UK has the complete story.

"Mini-mermaids competed in 50m races, while the adults swam twice the distance as they each showed off their beautiful tails."

Perhaps we will soon see swimming competitions in other parts of the world.


Mermaids Among Us

Seventeen Magazine presents 18 Real Mermaids Who Walk Among Us. Are you a Modern Mermaid or a Festival Mermaid? These and many other mermaid personas are ready to be discovered in this article by Caelan Hughes.

"Reminder: mermaids are creatures of the sea and have gills and scales, obvs. Who says scales can't be absolutely stunning?"

Choose your favorite look, and then dive right in!


Are Mermaids Real?

For any mermaid or merman performer, casual swimmer, or blogger, there is one question heard more than any other: Are mermaids real?

Writer Sarah Laskow and Atlas Obscura tackle the burning question, and explain why web searches for mermaids made a sudden increase just a few years ago.

"Interest in mermaids wasn't always so high. Before 2013, in fact, Google received about the same level of interest in mermaids as in vampire, aliens, and so on. But something changed in 2013."

A very interesting article, and well worth a read.


Best wishes and starfishes,
-Mermaid Cynthia
cynthia (at) goldmermaid.com

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Mermaid Sculpting

Ready for a great workout? In an article found at Cosmopolitan, writer Elizabeth Narins shares eight body sculpting moves that every mermaid should know.

Each of the eight moves is accompanied with a looping video of the move as well as a description of how it should be performed.

Mermaiding is well known as a way of making workouts fun. How can you argue with a workout routine that includes a move entitled "Tail Float"?


March of the Mermaids

The fourth annual March of the Mermaids took place on Saturday, July 23, 2016 along the shores of Brighton and Hove, United Kingdom.

A wealth of photos and all the details of the event can be found at their web site. Be sure to watch the short time-lapse video of this year's event on the home page as well.

I do believe I spied a number of pirates in the mix. And lobsters!

If this event sounds a lot like the Coney Island Mermaid Parade, you are correct. It was inspired by the New York event.

The event was covered by local news outlets, including The Argus of Brighton.

At the time of this writing, no event date for 2017 has been set. In the meantime, follow The March of The Mermaids on Facebook.


Best wishes and starfishes,
-Mermaid Cynthia
cynthia (at) goldmermaid.com

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Mermaids in the Sand

Mermaids were just one of the many and varied subjects of the 26th Annual Coney Island Sand Sculpting Contest.

"Nothing says summer like a good, old-fashioned sand sculpture contest!"

The mermaids were joined by sea monsters, castles, the Eiffel Tower, and even Spongebob.

For all the details and photos, head on over to Gothamist, and this article by Jen Chung.

Guest Mermaid

Join Sarah Baird as she tells the tale of her appearance as guest mermaid at the Sip 'n Dip tiki bar. She also writes about the recent popularity of mermaid schools.

"Over the past several years, mermaid schools have cropped up in just about every pocket of the globe as a place for people to live out their fantasy of being an honest-to-goodness ocean maiden."

The whole story can be found in this article at The Daily Good.

Mermaid Box

Mermaid Box is a quarterly subscription box with a mermaid/aquatic theme.  Read Brandy's review at Hello Subscription.

"Mermaid Box is a Quarterly Box that will be delivered 4 times a year, so even in the winter, summer, spring or fall you can look forward to new mermaids swimming to your door."

According to Brandy's review, a donation to save dolphins is made for each subscription sold.

Best wishes and starfishes,

-Mermaid Cynthia

cynthia (at) goldmermaid.com

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Mermaid Workout

From leggings to athletic shoes, and from sports bras to head bands, Pop Sugar has your mermaid inspired workout apparel.

"Without getting too bold, I'm pretty sure these are the best mermaid-inspired workout clothes the world has to offer at this point in time."

Get the full story in this article by Dominique Astorino, and get ready to work your tail off.

Mermaid Crowns

If you frequent mermaid groups on Facebook or other social media, you may have noticed the popularity of mermaid crowns. In a recent article at the Huffington Post, writer Carla Herreria introduces us to Chelsea Shiels' Mermaid Crowns.

"We’ve already embraced mermaid-inspired hair colors and accepted mermaid fins as a poolside accessory, but a new type of Neptunian trend has descended upon us..."

Another creator of fine mermaid crowns is Judy Bielik. Be sure to check out her Etsy shop as well.

Best wishes and starfishes,

-Mermaid Cynthia

cynthia (at) goldmermaid.com

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Sea Change

Ocean conservation should be on the mind of every mermaid and merman. Recently, Great Big Story carried the story and video, Sea Change: Tipping the Scale Toward Conservation in Palau.

"Roughly one-third of the catch from Palau's long-line fisheries are non-target species, meaning that millions of turtles, dolphins, rays and sharks end up as "road kill" on the undersea highway."

Tipping the Scale Toward Conservation in Palau is the second half of Sea Change. The article also includes a link to part one, The Battle Against Poaching in Palau.


Mermaid Beauty Products

In my previous blog post, we talked a bit about mermaid fashion, including swimwear and nail art. Today, we continue the conversation with a look at more mermaid-inspired beauty products.

"Ariel always wanted to be part of our world, but when it comes to beauty, we would like to be submerged in hers."

The article by Lauren Levinson at Pop Sugar covers it all: makeup, hair, skin, body, and nail products.

My favorites on the list are the Mermaid Soap Bar and the Mermaid Perfume. We first talked about Mermaid Perfume back in February of 2013.


The Deep

A new mermaid show is coming to Freeform (formerly ABC Family). No Ariel in this show, this mermaid show will be targeted to adults.

"Because it’s a dark, complex, live-action, hour-long drama about mermaids reclaiming their right to the ocean, that’s why."

For the full story, head on over to Hello Giggles, and take a look at this article by Winona Dimeo-Ediger.


Best wishes and starfishes,
-Mermaid Cynthia
cynthia (at) goldmermaid.com

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NC Mermaid School

A recent article at Pursuitist invites us to send our little ones to mermaid school in North Carolina. Note that you don't have to be a 'little one' to enjoy the fun.

"The new Mermaid School experience is offered through an exclusive partnership and on-property pop-up from recreation leader, Kitty Hawk Kites."

The article by McLean Robbins includes a number of great photos. There is a lot of splashing going on in North Carolina these days.


Perth Mermaids

What started out as a mermaid photo shoot ended up turning Amelia and Jessica into professional mermaids.

"They got so much attention that they started doing it on the reg, and years later, hundreds of people turn up to watch them perform at beaches around Australia."

The full story by Lisa Bowman can be found over at Metro UK. Learn more about the Perth Mermaids at their web site.


Mermaid Fashion

I recently came across two articles in which fashion has been influenced by mermaids. The first is a swimwear line dedicated to mermaids. Nicole Briese of Brit+Co has the story.

"There’s something utterly enchanting about these mythical and lovely mermaids that makes us all want to be one..."

For our second article of mermaid fashion, Fashion Week columnist May Chan recently featured a story on mermaid inspired nail art. Perfect for summer visits to the beach, or just about anywhere.

"From iridescent scales to Disney princess homages, no one is immune to these sparkling aquatic colors."


Best wishes and starfishes,
-Mermaid Cynthia
cynthia (at) goldmermaid.com

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Allure of the Mermaid

Columnist Lyz Lenz and her young daughter both love mermaids. In an article found at Jezebel, Ms. Lenz explores the Eternal Allure of the Mermaid. The discussion quickly turns to a history of mermaids.

"The history of mermaids begins with the ancient Syrians, who worshiped the goddess Atergatis. The goddess of fertility, she was often depicted with a fish body, although the mythologies surrounding her describe her as anthropomorphic."

Don't miss the cool reader comments at the bottom of the page. Here is an example:
FB: And if you visit Florida, you should visit Weeki Wachee...
CL: summer plans: changed.

The reader comments also contain a reference to the 1994 film, The Secret of Roan Inish. Worth checking out I would say, as it is also mentioned in the following article.


Vermont Mermaid School

Summer is here, and mermaid schools are back in the news. In this first of two related articles, writer Sarah Tuff Dunn shares her first experiences as a mermaid.

Ms. Dunn found her inner mermaid at The Selkie Mermaid School in Vermont, the first such school in New England.

"I was so enchanted by the fluidity and the fun that I found myself floating, sidestroking and undulating from one end of the pool to the other. I flashed through colorful hoops and floated on my back, feeling more and more at peace with the singular sensation of a fused fin."

For the full story, swim on over to Ms. Dunn's article at Seven Days Vermont.


France's Mermaid Schools

Mermaid schools are making their way around the globe. Julia Sardella, a French synchronized swimmer, has opened a school in France.

"Ms. Sardella said that about 500 people took her introductory courses at a hotel in Marseille, with some returning for more advanced instruction."

Read more in this article by Alissa J. Rubin at The New York Times.


Best wishes and starfishes,
-Mermaid Cynthia
cynthia (at) goldmermaid.com

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Mermaid Fitness

A recent article at Pure Wow Wellness is ready to answer your basic questions on mermaid fitness classes.

"There’s a new workout trend that will help you get a super-toned mermaid bod without having to live under the sea for the next 20 years."

Mermaid fitness classes aren't available everywhere, but that will probably change in the not too distant future.


Magical Tights

Most of us merfolk do have to leave the oceans and streams occasionally. When this happens, it can be fun to give subtle hints as to your secret merfolk identity. Ellen Scott at Metro UK has just the thing.

"Tinkercast has made some snazzy tights that let you be more mermaid-y and still maintain your human legs."

Several styles and colors are available. A link to Tinkercast of Germany can be found in the article.


The Lure

Polish filmmaker Agnieszka Smoczynska brought her feature film, The Lure, to the US in January. The Lure is a horror film... with mermaids, a musical drama, set in Poland.

"This feature film, her first, premiered in the World Dramatic Competition at Sundance in January, winning rave reviews and the Special Jury Award for Unique Vision and Design, while her other projects have netted awards at Polish film festivals."

For the full story, head on over to this article by Libby Coleman at Ozy.


Artist Steph Lew

Artist Steph Lew has been very busy. She has been creating unique mermaid personas of Disney characters as well as Princess Leia, Marilyn Monroe, and many others.

"Basically, she is crazy talented, and one quick look at her Instagram account totally solidifies this!"

Several of Ms. Lew's creations can be seen in this article by Crystal Ro at Hello Giggles. Which is your favorite?


Best wishes and starfishes,
-Mermaid Cynthia
cynthia (at) goldmermaid.com

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Splash Remake

According to an article at Comic Book Resources, Brian Grazer is set to produce a remake of one of our favorite movies, Splash (1984). If you are not familiar with Mr. Grazer, note that he wrote the original script for Splash, and co-produced the film with Ron Howard, the director of the film.

Grazer is not offering many clues about the remake at this point, simply stating that 'a movie star is involved', and 'there will be some form of plot twist.'

The article includes a 12+ minute video interview of Mr. Grazer, who has a number of films to his credit.

Some of you may remember 'Splash Too', the 1988 made-for-television sequel to Splash, directed by Greg Antonacci. The sequel did not fare well with the limited number of viewers that were able to catch it, rating only a 3.5 out of 10 on imdb.


The Aquatic World

Swim on over to Book Riot for a recent article by Bronwyn Averett, 'The Aquatic World, 5 Books About Mermaids.'

"Mermaids are great. Every storytelling tradition has a version of this original femme fatale, and whether she is called a siren, a rusalka, Mami Wata, or Mélusine, she is a powerful representative of the aquatic world – both life-giving and deathly, like water itself."

The article features five titles that you may not have heard about already, including The Mermaid Girl by Erika Swyler, and Lagoon by Nnedi Okorafor.

When you go out to relax by the pool, remember to take along a fine mermaid novel.


Best wishes and starfishes,
-Mermaid Cynthia
cynthia (at) goldmermaid.com

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Project Mermaids Update

Editor Juan Hernandez at The Inertia brings us an update on Project Mermaids. The project was started by Angelina Venturella to bring attention to ocean conservation, and earth conservation in general.

"What started out in Los Angeles, photographing celebrities like Vanessa Hudgens and Brooke Burke as mermaids while raising awareness for ocean conservation, has now become a worldwide viral tour."

The article contains links where you can learn more about the Project Mermaids campaign and the Project Mermaids Tour.


Mako Mermaids Update

In case you missed the news... Mako Mermaids season 4 has come to Netflix. I would like to thank Second Life mermaid Faye for being the first to bring this news to my attention.

If you don't mind the spoilers, the official trailer for the new season can be found at the Mako Island Resort web site.  The site also has some great photos of the cast, both in and out of the water.

Mako Mermaids is the sequel to the popular H2O: Just Add Water. Both shows are the product of Jonathan M. Shiff Productions of Australia.


Best wishes and starfishes,
-Mermaid Cynthia
cynthia (at) goldmermaid.com

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Siren Song

Michelle Starr, Associate Editor at CNET, brings us the story of AquaSonic, a band that performs entirely under water.

"Each of the band's five members is submerged in an aquarium, and the sound is produced from entirely under water."

The article contains a one-minute video of a performance, and there is a link to their YouTube page with longer examples of their music.

Visit the group's official web site at http://www.aquasonic.dk

Mermen!

We talk a lot about mermaids, but let us not forget the mermen! In an article at ATTN, Laura Donovan introduces us to a number of mermen, many of whom are professionals. We also meet a few merboys.

"In recent months, several men have gained attention on social media for holding professional jobs as mermen."

The article includes a number of fine photos, and a familiar face or two. Guys, it is time to get your tail wet!

Bath Shark

When it is time to update the bathroom or bedroom, give it the mermaid touch. Dubai-based Imperial Interiors can make your floors look like you are stepping into clear tropical waters. A number of other designs are available as well.

"Put a swimming swan in your rec room, a sandy beach in your bedroom, and completely freak out the cat with a shark or dolphin nosing its way around the living room."

The article by Gael Fashingbauer Cooper contains a link to Imperial's vast image gallery. Not all of the designs are water-based, but you may find those to be the most impressive.

Best wishes and starfishes,

-Mermaid Cynthia

cynthia (at) goldmermaid.com

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Wedding Mermaid

Are you planning a wedding? May Chan and Fashion Week brings us the Top 10 wedding ideas inspired by The Little Mermaid.

"We’re here to show you finds we’ve discovered that will make your wedding a little less like a princess birthday party and a little more bridal appropriate."

From cakes to jewelry to flowers and more, Ms. Chan's article offers plenty of inspiration for a fin-tastic wedding!


Mermaid Bed

After swimming all day, your young mermaid will be plenty tired. Time for a nap in this cute mermaid bed by Circu of Portugal.

The fiberglass bed features purple lighting to add a little extra magic.

For all the dreamy information, check out the article by Catrina Dennis at Nerd Approved. The article contains a link to Circu where you can obtain pricing and purchasing information.

I am sure that the adult mermaids out there will be wishing they had slightly larger beds available.


Best wishes and starfishes,
-Mermaid Cynthia
cynthia (at) goldmermaid.com

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Crying Mermaid

A friend of mine recently brought an article to my attention: Jerusalem Online answers the question, "Why is there a crying mermaid near a beach in Tel Aviv?"

"A crying mermaid covered in oil and plastic bags was spotted today (Friday) at the entrance to the beach on Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Street."

The mermaid is the work of artist Aya Admon Meisels, and the article by Becca Noy contains the full story.

Thank you for the tip, Niamh.


Fishing Ban

April is Earth Month. The environment needs you!

Shanghaiist brings us the story of two college students that became mermaids to call attention to illegal fishing.

"To really make their statement stand out, two female college students dressed up as mermaids to call for a ban on fishing during the official closed fishing season in Henan's Danjiangkou Reservoir."

The reservoir is located in Xichuan County, Henan and Danjiangkou City, Hubei province, in Central China.


Little Mermaid Facts

Are you an Ariel expert? Test your expertise with these 14 Facts About Ariel, The Little Mermaid, brought to us by Popsugar.

For example, the decision to make Ariel's hair red was for a couple of reasons. Do you know what they were?

The article is by Ashley Paige, who just might be an Ariel fan.


Best wishes and starfishes,
-Mermaid Cynthia
cynthia (at) goldmermaid.com

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Fan Phenomena: Mermaids

Back in January, I had information that the book, Fan Phenomena: Mermaids would be out in April. I am happy to report that the book is indeed available now.

To review, "The book explores how merfolk have evolved in popular culture and what it is that grants them their privileged status among fantasy creatures."

Be sure to check out my chapter on mermaid blogging (page 74). Other contributors to the book include professional mermaid Hannah Fraser, and mermaid school owner Marielle Chartier-Henault.

The book was edited by Matthieu Guitton, who is also a big fan of the mermaid community.

The University of Chicago Press has a full synopsis and purchasing information. You can also find the book at Amazon.


Living Little Mermaid

The Mirror UK brings us the story of Michelle Roberts. Formerly a singer, dancer, and magician's assistant, Michelle now works full time as a professional mermaid.

"Two years ago a chance encounter with a professional mermaid inspired her to buy her own specially-made tail and dive into the world of mermaiding."

As a fiery red-head with freediving skills, she has no problem playing The Little Mermaid. No more boring office jobs for Michelle.

The article by Joshua Nevett contains a number of fine photos. If you are in the UK, watch for Michelle on upcoming documentaries showcasing extreme jobs and hobbies.


Flashback

Join me now, in a flashback to April 1, 2012. It was four years ago when this mermaid got a little silly for a day. The result was a blog post entitled 'Aquatic Takeover'. This article introduced Danny Dolphin to the blog, who has returned here a few times since.

No confirmation that this mermaid is still a little silly.


Best wishes and starfishes,
-Mermaid Cynthia
cynthia (at) goldmermaid.com

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Meet the UK MerFolk

David Gregory is a photographer in the United Kingdom. One of his recent projects is photographing the mermaids of the UK. Professional and amateur mermaids are everywhere, but in some places more than others.

"While relatively unheard of here in the UK, mermaiding has enjoyed a slightly broader appeal in the United States quite possibly because of the Weeki Wachee Mermaids."

Mr. Gregory's article at The Huffington Post is quite interesting, and includes some great photographs. There is also a merman in the collection.

You may follow David Gregory on Twitter.


Ten Facts About Jellyfish

The Guardian bring us an article by Ali Benjamin, who is deeply fascinated by jellyfish. This fascination was strong enough to inspire her book, The Thing About Jellyfish, targeted to children eight to twelve.

In this article, Ms. Benjamin shares ten facts about jellyfish. These ten facts may be useful to the ocean mermaids out there.

"Jellyfish sting humans at a rate of 150 million per year, which means that in the minute or so it’s taken you to read this far, nearly 500 people have been stung."

You can find The Thing About Jellyfish at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.


Spread the Word

Cynthia Mermaid is now available on the Apple News app. Spread the word!


Best wishes and starfishes,
-Mermaid Cynthia
cynthia (at) goldmermaid.com

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Work Your Tail Off

CNN brings us a report on this year's North Carolina Mermania convention. The report includes familiar names such as Hannah Mermaid, Mermaid Kariel, and Merman Christian.

"But whether they are at a landlocked swimming pool birthday party in Missouri or deep-diving in the Carribbean Sea, all the mermaids and mermen at Mermania see their profession as a platform to teach others how to respect and preserve the ocean and its creatures."

The article by Madeleine Stix includes a two-minute video as well as useful information to those interested in learning more about becoming a professional mermaid or merman.

The professionals certainly do work their tails off!


The Mermaid

Folks all over the world love mermaids. In just twelve days, a movie entitled The Mermaid became China's highest grossing movie ever made.

"The success of the film, which tells the story of a mermaid who falls in love with a businessman she is sent to assassinate, is the latest sign of China's growing might at the box office."

To learn more about The Mermaid, visit Katie Hunt's article at CNN Money. Swim deeper with a wealth of additional information on the movie from Wikipedia.


Best wishes and starfishes,
-Mermaid Cynthia
cynthia (at) goldmermaid.com

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Mermaid Spotting

Planning for this year's vacation? Molly McArdle of Travel and Leisure magazine provides a list of ten places for Mermaid-Spotting in America.

"Today, mermaids (okay-humans in mermaid costumes) can be found across the United States, from roadside attractions to popular festivals."

In addition to the ten places listed in the article, local Renaissance Faires, such as the one in Waxahachie, Texas (April/May) may also feature mermaids.


Mako Mermaids Season 4

Mako Island Resort, the place for information on the Mako Mermaids television program, brings us good news: Mako Mermaids season 4 is on the way.

Details on Season 4 can be found at the Mako Island web site. This season adds a Chinese mermaid, Weilan, played by Linda Ngo. Note that there are no details as yet on when we see season 4 episodes on Netflix.

Fans of H2O: Just Add Water will be excited to hear that Rikki (played by Cariba Heine) will be guest starring in Mako Mermaids this season. Back to the web site for more information.

For more Mako Mermaid fun, visit and bookmark the site's home page, www.makoislandresort.com


Best wishes and starfishes,
-Mermaid Cynthia
cynthia (at) goldmermaid.com

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Song of the Deep

Last week, Digital Trends carried the story of an upcoming release from Insomniac Games, Song of the Deep.

"Inspired, in part, by Irish mythology, Song of the Deep tells the story of 12-year-old Merryn, who explores the ocean in a hastily built submarine to find her father, who’s been lost at sea."

Song of the Deep will be available in the spring for selected platforms exclusively through GameStop.

The article includes a short video to introduce you to the game.


Purple Sock Worm

Researchers have recently released a study of deep water worm-like creatures that resemble a discarded sock. Mermaids and mermen should know about this kind of thing, right?

"The unusual creatures have been called everything from flatworms to mollusks, but the Scripps Institute of Oceanography now refers to them as deep-sea worms."

Read more about the brainless purple sock worm in this article from Amanda Kooser of C|Net Science and Technology. This article also includes a short video.


Best wishes and starfishes,
-Mermaid Cynthia
cynthia (at) goldmermaid.com

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Artist Ashley Taylor

Imagine Star Wars robot R2D2 as a jellyfish... Imagine Princess Leia as a mermaid... Now you're ready to dive into the article by Geek Girl Diva featuring the art of Ashley Taylor.

"It’s always nice when you discover a new artist and I’m really lucky to be able to share my discoveries with other people."

The article at Nerd Approved also has information on where you can find more mermaid themed art from Ms. Taylor on Mermaid Mondays.


Fan Phenomena: Mermaids

Due out in April, Fan Phenomena: Mermaids by Matthieu Guitton (editor) takes a look at the 'Mermaid phenomenon'.

"The book explores how merfolk have evolved in popular culture and what it is that grants them their privileged status among fantasy creatures."

I must say that I am excited to see this book nearing release, as I was asked to write a chapter for the book on mermaid blogging.

More information on the book can be found at Intellect. Price will be $22 US; £15.5 UK, and I will have more information on retailers as the release date approaches.

You may be interested in some of the other books in the Fan Phenomena series. Browse the list in the right-hand column at the link above.

Update 4/1: Fan Phenomena: Mermaids is now available.


Best wishes and starfishes,
-Mermaid Cynthia
cynthia (at) goldmermaid.com

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Cry of the Sea

Teri of Rosie's Book Review Team presents a review of the young adult novel, Cry of the Sea by D. G. Driver.

"I’ve read numerous books in the fantasy genre, but none about mermaids, so I really didn’t know what to expect with this novel in regards to how the mermaids would be portrayed."

The review includes links to sites where the novel may be purchased. You may also join Rosie's email list to be informed of future book reviews by the team.


Shark-Cam

You may have seen a viral video recently of a shark attacking the Remus SharkCam. An article by Michelle Starr at C|Net provides more information on the autonomous underwater vehicle.

"Underwater shark surveillance drones are good for a lot more than viral videos of great whites."

Sharks are usually observed near the surface. Now we can find out what's happening in deeper waters. Look for more great footage during Shark Week.


Best wishes and starfishes,
-Mermaid Cynthia
cynthia (at) goldmermaid.com

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Deciphering Dolphin

You may have seen articles on dolphin echolocation in the past, but science does march on. A recent article by Lynda Delacey at Gizmag contains information on the state of the art in understanding dolphin biosonar.

"A private dolphin research organization based in Miami sparked a minor sensation last month when it released a controversial image of an underwater diver that was reportedly created using data extracted from the high frequency clicks that dolphins emit when they perform echolocation."

A dog may be man's best friend, but a dolphin is a mermaid's best friend.

The article contains an image gallery and a 3.5 minute video entitled, 'What A Dolphin Saw'.

Secret World of Mermaids

I am a recent proud owner of the book, The Secret World of Mermaids by Francine Rose (Author) and Ryan Hobson (Illustrator).

This is a 1.25" (32mm) thick hardcover book of 35 pages. If the number of pages seems small, note that the book includes four mermaid figures.

"This scrapbook is a collection of writings and 'evidence' from Aunt Lydia. The four mermaid figures bundled with the book represent the four types of mermaids that can be found all over the world..."

The book features large pages, which allows it to include more content on each page.

Mermaids of Second Life might be interested in this book, as it describes the dialect of Mermish commonly used there. As I have mentioned before, only a handful of words are provided. Tala (hello) and Lusa Em (see you / goodbye) get the most use.

Look for The Secret World of Mermaids at Amazon. It appears that Barnes & Noble does not carry the book.

Best wishes and starfishes,

-Mermaid Cynthia

cynthia (at) goldmermaid.com

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