Arturo J. Telle, born in
Germany, is one of Spain’s
best-known underwater
photographers, and his work
has won hundreds of prizes
in national and international
contests and competitions.
He started snorkelling and
freediving at the age of 8,
built his first underwater
housing at age 15, and started
diving with full gear in 1996
when he was 33 years old.
He is now an experienced
tek diver and instructor with
more than 6,000 dives, as
well as an ambassador of
some of the most prestigious
brands. He regularly leads
dive trips and works with
several dive magazines
from different countries. His
interest in marine biology
has allowed him to discover a
new species of shrimp which
has been named after him,
the “red bumblebee shrimp”,
Gnatophylleptum tellei.life led me down other paths (I was
crowned “Miss Germany International
2006” and “Queen of the World
Germany 2007” before I started to work
as an international fashion model),
the passion to swim in the open
ocean with dolphins, sharks or rays
always was there. In 2011, I became
a scuba instructor and started to do
tek diving in Thailand. Spending so
much time underwater reminded me
of my childhood dream of being a real
mermaid. It was time to make this
dream come true.
I took freediving classes (now
I’m a PADI Freediving Instructor) and
practised my underwater modelling
skills. Then I created my first mermaid
tail and “Mermaid Kat” was officially
born in May 2012.
As a mermaid, I have the chance to
show people the beautiful underwater
world and raise awareness about this
fragile ecosystem, especially amongst
children. I have the chance to awake
in them the love for the ocean and its
inhabitants. Therefore, I swim with
wild sea creatures such as dolphins,
manta rays and whale sharks. For
an international anti-shark-finning
campaign, I even swam with wild
hammerheads and tiger sharks, just
wearing my mermaid tail.
The trip to Truk Lagoon was of course
an absolute dream. Swimming and
shooting at these deeply historical ship
wrecks was incredible.”
So, with Kat’s words ringing in our
ears, we can allow our minds to explore
the depths of the ocean and the ancient
fantasy of the mysterious mermaid! ADMERMAIDS IN TRUK LAGOON
I have the chance to show
people the beautiful
underwater world and
raise awareness about this
fragile ecosystem