Do mermaids exist?

"For thousands of years, sailors have watched the ocean from the decks of their ships. And many returned from their voyages with tales of mermaids[.] This . . . text brings together myths from cultures all over the world and highlights the . . . stories of P. T. Barnum's Feejee Mermaid of the 1800s as well as the original 'Little Mermaid' fairytale. Readers will explore possible scientific explanations for the many merfolk sightings and consider what they believe"--Provided by publisher.