Mermaids make waves for ocean conservation in Port Phillip Bay

Families gathered along the sand at Port Melbourne’s Lagoon Pier recently for an unusual sight: two shimmering mermaids emerging from the waters of Port Phillip Bay, delivering a powerful message about protecting the ocean.

The colourful spectacle formed part of a community beach event held to mark Clean Up Australia Day, blending environmental education with creative storytelling and hands-on conservation activities.

Children and parents lined the shoreline as the mermaids surfaced from the bay before making their way onto the beach, where they spoke with young audiences about marine life, ocean pollution and the simple actions people can take to protect the sea.

The event, organised by Mermaid Tarielle from Mertopia Mermaids, was designed to combine imagination with environmental action, using storytelling to spark curiosity and empathy among the next generation.

“Children connect deeply with stories and imagination,” Mermaid Tarielle said. “By using mermaids as guardians of the ocean, we can spark curiosity, empathy and a genuine desire to protect marine environments.”

Beyond the theatrical arrival of the mermaids, the day focused on real-world conservation efforts.

Volunteers joined a guided beach clean-up led by Conservation Volunteers Australia, collecting litter and debris from the shoreline. The Port Phillip EcoCentre also ran interactive activities and litter audits to help participants better understand the types of waste commonly found along Melbourne’s beaches.

A keynote marine conservation presentation and information stall from Sea Shepherd Australia added another layer of education, offering insights into the challenges facing marine ecosystems and the role local communities can play in addressing them.

Throughout the afternoon, families moved between activities, with children taking part in hands-on learning experiences about coastal habitats and the importance of reducing plastic pollution.

Organisers said the aim was to create an event that balanced fun with meaningful environmental engagement.

The mermaids themselves proved to be a powerful visual hook for the day’s message. As they spoke with children on the sand, the performers used storytelling to explain how pollution and human activity can affect ocean wildlife and habitats.

For many young attendees, it was their first time taking part in a beach clean-up or learning about marine conservation.

By pairing imaginative elements with practical action, organisers hoped to show that protecting the ocean can start with small everyday choices.

The event also highlighted the importance of community involvement in caring for Port Phillip Bay, one of Melbourne’s most significant natural assets.

Supported by the City of Port Phillip, the initiative brought together a range of local organisations focused on environmental education and conservation.

As the afternoon drew to a close, bags of collected litter lined the beach, offering a visible reminder of the impact community-led efforts can make.

For organisers, the success of the day lay not just in the amount of rubbish removed from the shoreline, but in the conversations it sparked among families about protecting marine environments.

And if the excitement among the children watching the mermaids was any indication, the message landed.

The hope, Mermaid Tarielle said, is that moments of wonder like these can inspire lasting change.

“This event is about fun, but it’s also about empowering the next generation of ocean stewards,” she said. •