Mert Gökalp is an interdisciplinary scientist and artist working on marine ecosystems, also known for his award-winning documentaries. He conducts academic research and environmental awareness projects on sponge aquaculture, invasive species, and sustainable fisheries along the coasts of Türkiye.
He completed his PhD at Wageningen University with a focus on marine sponges, where he developed sustainable integrated aquaculture systems. He is the director of the documentaries Bluefish and Grouper: Lord of the Reef.
By bringing science and art together, he aims to make the unseen life of the sea visible.

Dr. Aylin Ulman is a marine scientist specializing in marine conservation science, invasive species, and sustainable fisheries. Her research on Mediterranean ecosystems focuses on illegal fishing and biological invasions.
She completed her PhD through a joint program between Italy and France, examining the role of maritime traffic in the spread of invasive species. She founded Mersea Marine Conservation Consultancy in southwestern Türkiye.
She aims to bridge scientific knowledge with conservation policy and public awareness.

Dr. Başak Sözer is a marine biologist specializing in marine ecology and microscopic life forms. Her research, ranging from the Sea of Marmara to the coasts of Türkiye, focuses on environmental monitoring and ecosystem change.
She completed her PhD at Istanbul University, specializing in picophytoplankton, and has taken active roles in national and international projects, including those supported by TÜBİTAK and the European Union.
She aims to bring science to wider audiences through education, publishing, and research.

Ecrin Burgazlı is a researcher with a strong academic background and extensive field experience in both terrestrial and underwater archaeology. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Archaeology at Aydın Adnan Menderes University, where her thesis focuses on a literature review of underwater archaeological research conducted in the Bodrum Peninsula.
She has participated in fieldwork at archaeological sites such as Tisna, Myrina, Gryneion, Alinda, and Gerga, taking active roles in mapping, inventorying, drawing, and photographic documentation. In her professional work outside archaeology, she develops projects centered on UX/UI-focused web design, information architecture, and user experience planning.
She aims to pursue academic research and digital design practices in parallel and as independent disciplines.

Tunç Cambazoğlu is a diving professional who grew up in Bodrum and developed an early connection with the sea and underwater culture. He completed his education in Tourism and Hotel Management at Eastern Mediterranean University and gained experience in restaurant and retail management during the early stages of his career.
Since 2014, he has been managing Aşkın Diving Center, founded in 1987 by his father, Aşkın Cambazoğlu. He holds an amateur skipper’s license and works as an industrial diver and professional diving instructor.
He aims to preserve Bodrum’s long-standing diving culture and pass it on to future generations.

Ergun Kocabıyık is a writer and editor with many years of experience in literature, culture, and publishing. A graduate of Ankara University School of Journalism and Media Studies, he began his career working in the film and television industry as an assistant director, screenwriter, and copywriter.
Between 1997 and 2020, he held active roles in the publishing sector, serving as editor and managing editor at Sabah Kitapları, Kabalcı Yayınları, and Boğaziçi University Press. During this period, he also contributed to documentary projects as a consultant and researcher.
He continues to contribute to cultural production through original and translated works in literature, mysticism, and cultural studies.

Eryürek is a photographer working in visual communication, specializing in aesthetic composition and visual storytelling. A graduate of Yeditepe University’s Visual Communication Design program, he has an extensive production practice across both analog and digital photography.
His professional career focuses on advertising photography, creating creative, high-quality visual content for brands. He has developed in-depth experience in visual narrative, aesthetic language, and communication strategies.
By reflecting his connection with nature and the sea in his work, he aims to contribute to sustainability-focused projects.

At Ecolegacy Mediterranean, he manages the creative strategies and corporate communication processes of projects focused on the protection of marine ecosystems. Building his career at the intersection of science, design, and cinematic storytelling, Yamanlıca also serves as the Creative Director of the Kentfest Theatre Festival.

Under the umbrella of Loop Agency and Lup Film, he has undertaken the production and poster design of feature-length projects such as “Blue Fish,” “Istanbul Through the Eyes of World Writers,” and “Gölge.” His professional focus lies in developing strategic visions that carry ecological heritage into the future through the discipline of graphic design and the power of art.

Engin Ünal is a national-level freediver and an SSI diving instructor who has been closely connected to the sea and nature since childhood. A graduate of graphic design, he moved from Istanbul to Bodrum in 2010 and worked for over a decade in the gastronomy sector within his family business.

Holding a captaincy qualification, Ünal is also interested in amateur underwater photography, has a strong affinity for underwater gastronomy, and enjoys exploring invasive species as well as new marine-based ingredients. His life, shaped by sports and the sea, has enabled him to gain experience across diverse fields; his creative perspective and curiosity, combined with a passion for discovering underwater life, continue to enrich both his personal and professional journey.

Nil Deniz Çidanlı is an interdisciplinary researcher and translator working in marine conservation, with a career journey that extends from literature to the oceans. Before turning to marine sciences, she studied Liberal Arts and Gender Studies, worked in international publishing, and translated more than 30 books from Finnish literature into Turkish. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in marine sciences in France.

Her work spans across Europe and East Africa; in the Mediterranean, she focuses on seagrass meadows and marine protected areas, while in Kenya—where she has been living for the past three years—she concentrates on coral restoration projects.

She completed her undergraduate and graduate studies in the German Business Administration Department at Marmara University and is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Media and Communication at Istanbul Commerce University.

She began her career as a writer at Atlas Magazine in 1999, where she served as a special issues editor until 2014. In 2014, she became part of the founding team of Magma Magazine, where she continues to work as Editorial Coordinator.

In addition, she prepares publications and communication materials on natural and cultural diversity for numerous national and international organizations. Her ongoing civil society roles include: Member of the UNDP SGP Turkey Steering Committee, Member of the Information, Media and Communication Committee at the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce, and Board Member of both the Idea Universal Association and the Water Warriors. Foundation.

Utku Kuran is an environmental studies specialist and researcher working in the fields of nature conservation, biodiversity, and sustainability. He has experience in field research, data analysis, and project coordination within multi-stakeholder projects carried out in collaboration with academia, civil society, and international organizations.

He completed his master’s degree in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science at Lund University, producing both academic and popular science publications on small-scale fisheries management, post-fire socio-ecological transformation, and marine protected areas. His work focuses on field-based research, collaboration with local communities, and nature conservation policies.

Ülcan Türkkan is an urban planner and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) specialist. He contributes to conservation- and sustainability-focused projects by extending his expertise in spatial analysis, project coordination, and planning processes to coastal and marine contexts.

Combining his background in urban planning with GIS expertise, he works with a data-driven approach and an interdisciplinary perspective, developing GIS applications that support decision-making processes in large-scale infrastructure projects. He also continues his academic work in the field of spatial data analysis.

Aziz Yiğit Gökalp is a visionary professional with over 15 years of extensive experience in brand management and strategic communication. Throughout his career, he has successfully managed large-scale projects, sponsorship processes, and community activations for global brands such as Asics, Adidas, and Unilever, as well as within Spor Istanbul, establishing himself as a leading sports communication expert.

Combining his professional expertise with a deep passion for marine ecosystems, Gökalp is also an open water swimmer, a certified Rescue Diver, and an Amateur Seafarer, demonstrating both his strong connection to the sea and his field discipline. He brings his expertise in strategic planning, event coordination, and sustainability-driven projects together with a powerful vision aimed at promoting marine conservation awareness and fostering societal impact.

Ayçanur Top is a sociologist working on ecological political economy and environmental issues. Her research focuses on the relationships between ecology and economy, particularly through waste economies, recycling practices, and coastal areas.

She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. at Galatasaray University, where her research centers on debates around the circular economy and discourses of ecological transformation. Her master’s thesis examined waste pickers in Istanbul.

In addition to her academic work, she teaches sociology, philosophy, and psychology, and also works as a French–Turkish translator.