Despite decades of controversy, this is what I believe science says versus what people say about mermaids. The age-old question: are mermaids real? Science claims that mermaid sightings are just typical marine animals misinterpreted. Science claims these sightings of “human-sized ocean animals such as manatees and dugongs” (Radford). “These animals have a flat tail, similar to that of a mermaid, and two stubby fins that recall the typical legends of the mermaid people. Most of the sightings occurred at a distance and “being mostly submerged by water and waves, only parts of their bodies were visible”. (Radford). In 2009 new reports show that someone spotted a mermaid off the coast of Israel. This creature of the merfolk was claimed to be "playing pranks at dusk for people watching over the course of several months." (Radford). These reports were later dismissed as wave-versus-sun illusions and/or a hoax to attract tourism. A recent show on Animal Planet called "Mermaids: The Body Found" shows some kids finding a living body of what was said to be a mermaid population, which had washed ashore along with some beached whales. The show was so convincing that the National Oceanic Atmosphere Administration (NOAA) featured this video. After receiving enough requests (views) following the TV special, they released a statement at the end of June. Officially deny the existence of mermaids, or simply deny it due to a government cover-up. Tales about mythical creatures were used to get the scoop on what might have sparked belief in these creatures. “A sea captain off the coast of a newly discovered land describes Captain John Smith seeing a mermaid swimming about, with all the grace possible. He imagined her with big eyes; Smit... in the center of the paper... explains these characteristics and that it is a transition from ape to hominid in a non-aquatic environment." (snaps.com). This theory could also explain the affirmation of science according to which babies can swim from birth. They automatically like to hold their breath and move in water. “This response has been present in terrestrial mammals for almost 20 years.” minutes "are they the scientific way of denying the existence of mermaids or are they simply hiding a government secret? Despite the scientific claims, in my opinion, many people still believe that mermaids are real.