Withered Mermaids

The Haenyo are Jeju's rapidly-disappearing female divers.  Most of them are over the age of 60, and no one will likely replace them.  I've seen them diving in the dead of winter - they're made of rebar and rawhide.  Apparently a Great White took a bite of one in 2005 and spat her out.  I bet she barely noticed.
  And they're not to be trifled with either - a friend of mine (who happened to be illegally spearfishing) was bombarded with rocks by a crew of pissed-off Haenyo.  He wisely withdrew.  I've seen them freedive for about 2 minutes at a time.  This one was hooking for Octopi under the rocks.  See them now, before they're gone.