Near Thanda Island, off Tanzania’s Indian Ocean coast, a mermaid sculpture forms part of the private island’s ongoing marine conservation work, including growing and preserving its vulnerable coral reef.

Created by Antigone Meda, Island Manager at Thanda Island, the sculpture contributes to an expanding artificial reef that is part of an underwater coral nursery near Shungimbili Island Marine Reserve, a five-minute boat ride from the resort.

The piece is the first of many mermaid sculptures that Meda plans to create to symbolise “the wonderful women that work on the Thanda Island team”. Made from environmentally friendly concrete and cast on dry land in fibreglass moulds, the sculpture is named ‘Rianne’ after resident Marine Biologist Rianne Laan, who created the coral nursery in 2018.

She expects the sculpture to be covered with newly grown corals in a few years. Guests at Thanda Island can see the progress and participate in various marine conservation initiatives on visits to the nursery.