To mark World Ocean Day on 8th June, a striking sculpture created almost entirely from reclaimed marine debris is capturing attention as both a work of art and a compelling call to action against ocean pollution.

Accurately scaled and constructed from marine plastics collected along Bermuda’s shoreline, the sculpture which is affectionately called ‘Whaleen’ is a life-size representation of a nine-month-old North Atlantic Humpback Whale.   While Governor Andrew Murdoch conceived of the idea, it was brought to life during a conversation with Bermudian artist Hannah Horsfield in December 2025. Ms Horsfield, Programmes Educator at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute (BUEI), led the project. The sculpture design grew to 20ft in length – the largest sculpture Hannah had ever made. It evolved through weeks of dedicated shoreline cleanups across Bermuda. Each item of ocean plastic debris was carefully sorted by size, colour, and material type in preparation for construction. With the help of family and friends, a metal framework was built, with reclaimed PVC pipe and blue barrels being added to create the familiar shape. Hundreds of flattened marine plastic fragments were then secured to create the sculpture’s outer skin. The near final piece was then transported to Government House – causing some amused glances as it was driven through Hamilton on the back of a flatbed truck - to be finished.   

The sculpture incorporates more than 1,000 individual plastic items collected from Bermuda’s shores, including: 78 octopus traps, 45 oil jugs, 63 flip-flops, 39 white jugs and bottles, 14 large waste and oil containers, 13 plastic crates, one large fishing net, and one discarded mooring rope forming the whale’s mouth. 

His Majesty King Charles III was able to view the sculpture on 1 May during its final phase of construction on the grounds of Government House. He met Hannah Horsfield, who was joined by Youth Climate Summit students and local primary school students working to complete the sculpture in time for World Ocean Day. Hannah was able to show the plastics washed up on Bermuda’s beaches, often brought by ocean currents from thousands of miles away.  BUEI’s Education Head, Ms Summer Wood, was also present to explain the educational use of the sculpture as part of BUEI’s programme of outreach to schools in Bermuda.

Hannah actively partnered with environmental organisations from across the island, schools and community volunteers, to collect plastics from the beaches across the island.  

The Governor remarked that: “I’m absolutely delighted that the concept has been brilliantly brought to life by the talent of Bermudian artist Hannah Horsfield. This is wonderful sculpture and as a piece of art it deserves to be seen by visitors to Government House. But its creation was always intended to be more than just art. Its creation required collaboration from organisations across the island, and it sends a powerful message on the need to work together to protect the ocean – turning waste into advocacy for change. It highlights Bermudian artistic talent. It highlights family and community spirit in those that came together to design, build, collect materials, transport and install Whaleen. It highlights the incredible nature off our coast in the form of the iconic humpback whale. And it highlights the threat posed to our ocean from marine plastics, and the damage plastics do to the environment.” 

The project was made possible by sponsorship from Convex given its alignment with their Seascape Survey project aims. It was fuelled by community participation from across the island, including from Keep Bermuda Beautiful, Nonsuch Expeditions, the Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign in Bermuda, and WhalesBermuda.   Three truck loads of marine debris were removed from Bermuda’s coastline with youth from both public and private schools actively engaged in every stage of the process, from collection and cleaning to creative assembly.

Hannah Horsfield said “I have been working to raise awareness about marine plastic pollution for nearly a decade. As a teenager, I began collecting plastic from Bermuda’s shorelines, later writing my Environmental Science thesis on the issue of plastic pollution in Bermuda and creating art installations from recovered marine debris.  I am deeply honoured to have been invited to create Whaleen for Bermuda, and incredibly grateful to the many individuals and organisations whose collaboration brought this vision to life. My hope is that the sculpture inspires viewers to reflect on the impact of plastic pollution and motivates them to help protect our marine environment and the remarkable marine mammals that depend on it.”

BUEI provided the institutional lead for the project, and said they will “further the impact of this project through educational programming, treating the whale sculpture as a powerful catalyst for ocean advocacy, through the following lesson plans and projects, delivered within the EcoSchool Framework: 

• Understanding Marine Pollution and Its Impact on Migratory Species 
• Sustainable Art: Connecting Local Action to Global Ocean Impact 
• Advocacy and Community Awareness Projects 

All EcoSchools will have the opportunity to participate in and benefit from these projects; we currently have a total of 23 schools participating in the EcoSchool Program, with students that range from pre-school age to Bermuda College.”

Celebrating meaningful progress and community action, the project delivers a critical message: Every piece of debris collected for the sculpture is a reminder of the persistent challenge posed by plastic waste. Despite growing awareness and positive change, marine pollution continues to endanger ecosystems and wildlife, including species like the humpback whale.

Through the fusion of art, education, and environmental action, the North Atlantic Humpback Whale project stands as a testament to what can be achieved when a community comes together. It celebrates Bermudian talent, empowers young people, and reinforces the importance of protecting our oceans for generations to come.

On this World Ocean Day, Bermuda sends a clear message to the world: collective action can inspire change—but the work is far from over.