Page 9 - Fins Magazine: Fins Magazine Issue #4

D D eep B B lue S S hark
eep
har
k
lue

When I was a little girl, I was never conservation goals: Mermaid Deepblue.
comfortable in water. I did love mermaids.
Every time I swam I felt really panicky. So I At the same time I developed my experience

forgot about my dreams and grew up. with sharks. My first shark dives were not
the funniest ones but I quickly got used
One day, however, I was able to scuba to them, and realised that they were even

dive with sharks without a cage. I was so scared by my bubbles!
impressed that I became really passionate
about them. This also reignited my I then had my first modelling experience
childhood dream, and I decided I would with them, guided by talented photographer
become a mermaid. Pia Oyarzun from “Made in Water”. Pia has

a lot of experience with sharks. Ahead of
My first mermaid swim felt horrible: the every shoot, both her and my safety checked
chlorinated water was burning my eyes! the sharks’ behaviour.

But I kept pushing my boundaries safely
and reached confidence levels I would We swam down very calmly - the last thing
never have expected. you want to do is splash around if you
are about to meet sharks! Initially it was
My passion for sharks made me choose to

raise awareness for their defense. Indeed
over 100 million sharks are killed every
year and this is a major issue for our

oceans. Sharks are an integral part of the
ecosystem, they regulate it - they deserve to
be respected and defended. Everyone loves
lions yet they are dangerous, so why not
sharks?

At this time the largest great white shark
was discovered: she was called Deepblue.

I decided that my mermaid name would
be a connection to her and reflect my

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