About Us

If the ocean has no borders, why should opportunity?

Who we are

Mermaids Beyond Borders is a community-driven ocean education and conservation organisation dedicated to bridging cultures, empowering communities, and making ocean science, marine science, and marine conservation accessible to all.

We bring people together to learn about the ocean, share their stories and knowledge, and shape meaningful action to protect it. Through education, advocacy, creative storytelling, collaboration, and community-led projects, we open up opportunities to connect with and care for the ocean.

Our focus

We are committed to making ocean knowledge and participation accessible to everyone. At this stage, we are focusing on understanding and addressing the barriers disabled people face in accessing ocean knowledge, marine education, and conservation. We continue to welcome people and communities across different backgrounds, experiences, and ways of learning.

Waves washing onto a palm-lined rocky coastline

How our work is organised

Accessibility and inclusion guide all three strands.

Our journey so far

Coastal Futures: An Uncharted Course
Our founder, Tsian Deslandes, represented Mermaids Beyond Borders on a Coastal Futures panel titled An Uncharted Course: Breaking Barriers in Marine and Coastal Leadership. The discussion explored access, inclusion, youth leadership and barriers to entering the marine sector.
Tsian spoke about how financial and physical barriers can affect who gets the opportunity to pursue a career, and why the sector needs to recognise talent wherever it exists.
MBB’s international launch at the MISS fifth anniversary
Mermaids Beyond Borders launched internationally at the fifth anniversary event of Minorities in Shark Sciences. Our founder spoke about MBB’s mission to bridge cultures, empower communities and make ocean science, marine science and marine conservation accessible to all.
Ocean Conservation Trust Blue Youth Summit
At the first Blue Youth Summit hosted by the Ocean Conservation Trust, Tsian spoke to around 65 young people from Plymouth and the South West. She shared her journey into ocean advocacy and spoke about why representation, lived experience and inclusion matter in ocean spaces.
The day also brought young people together to share their views about the future of the ocean and take part in workshops and discussion.
Blue Influencers Scheme Conference
Mermaids Beyond Borders attended the Blue Influencers Scheme Conference, hosted by the Ernest Cook Trust. Tsian delivered Making Waves from Anywhere, sharing MBB’s message that people can care for and protect the ocean wherever they live and whatever path they take.
Sophie led an A Love Note to Water workshop, inviting participants to reflect creatively on their relationships with water and the memories and feelings connected to it.
The Ocean’s Love Story at The Box
On 6 June 2026, Mermaids Beyond Borders presented The Ocean’s Love Story at The Box in Plymouth, as part of Journeys with Mai. The exhibition brought ocean stories, culture and science together, exploring how myths and mysteries can sit alongside scientific knowledge.
Displays connected stories such as the Kraken with the giant squid, and sunken places with rising sea levels and submerged landscapes. They invited visitors to consider how people understand the ocean through stories, observation and science. This was the first time MBB presented The Ocean’s Love Story on such a large scale in a museum space.
Calling for action on the High Seas Treaty
The BBNJ Agreement (opens in a new tab), often called the High Seas Treaty, is an international agreement to help conserve and sustainably use marine life in the high seas, the parts of the ocean beyond any one country’s jurisdiction.
Mermaids Beyond Borders signed a youth letter developed by UK Youth for Nature, joining 19 other youth organisations in urging the UK Government to ratify the Agreement without delay and ensure its effective and inclusive implementation. The UK ratified the Agreement on 10 July 2026.
Women of the Future Awards
The Women of the Future Awards were founded by Pinky Lilani in 2006 to recognise and support emerging female talent in the UK. Their Community Spirit Award celebrates young women making an outstanding impact through service, philanthropy and social action.
Our founder, Tsian Deslandes, has been shortlisted for the 2026 Community Spirit Award for her community work through Mermaids Beyond Borders. The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on 9 November 2026.