About Us

The Marmara Project began with two friends and a simple, unsettling realization:
most people couldn’t point to the Marmara Sea on a map.

We couldn’t shake that.
How could a sea once at the crossroads of empires—where trade, innovation, and entire civilizations moved—fade so quietly from global memory?

That silence became our starting point.

In August 2022, we stepped onto the shoreline with nothing but curiosity and determination. We hosted beach cleanups, talked with coastal communities, walked the piers of Istanbul and Bursa, and slowly gathered people who felt the same pull toward this overlooked sea.

By early 2023, that spark had grown into a grassroots movement.

Since then, our journey has carried the name “Marmara” from Turkey’s beaches to international platforms—MARUF, COP, National Geographic, and events across Europe and the United States. Each step isn’t just visibility; it’s restoration.

It’s reminding the world that the Sea of Marmara still matters.

Meet the Team

We are based in Türkiye and operate locally in Istanbul and Bursa, as well as internationally in Canada and the USA.

Storyteller Conservationist

Dahlia Jamous

Hey, I’m Dahlia! I'm a storyteller, filmmaker, and co-founder of the Marmara Project. My work blends marine conservation with documentary film, writing, and community outreach.

I’m especially passionate about reframing forgotten ecosystems with care and curiosity, not just through data, but through the voices and memories of the people who live beside them. The Marmara Project is my way of giving this sea a place in the world’s story again.

Blue Economy Specialist

Ela Gökçiğdem

Hi, I’m Ela! I'm the co-founder of the Marmara Project. I come from a background in marine policy and innovation, and I’ve always been fascinated by the question of how we can reshape our relationship with the sea in a world that’s changing faster than ever.

For me, protecting the Marmara isn’t just a scientific goal; it’s a personal one. I want to help build systems that make ocean health accessible, hopeful, and possible for future generations across the Marmara Sea.

Environmental Scientist

Sadaqah Hamblin

Hi, I’m Sadaqah. I’m passionate about community engagement and making science something everyone can connect with. I represent our team at events, workshops, and conferences—helping bring ocean conservation into everyday conversations.

I love creating spaces where people feel curious, inspired, and included. Whether it’s algae blooms or water quality, my goal is to make marine science approachable and full of optimism.

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Sustainable Development Strategist

Filiz Hösükoğlu

Merhaba, I am Filiz. I advise on strategy and implementation for the Marmara Project, helping connect the team's work to both global sustainability goals and the needs of communities in Türkiye.

I’ve spent years leading projects across humanitarian aid, refugee inclusion, employment access, social and cultural heritage and more.

My goal is to support the Marmara Project bridge complex development challenges with local environmental action—so that every step we take is rooted in care, coherence, and long-term change.

Ecopreneur and Sustainability Advisor

Arya Yurdacan

Hi, I’m Arya! I’m an ecopreneur and youth advocate. We often talk about the “green” side of sustainability, but we rarely talk about the blue — and that’s where my work begins. I’m passionate about redefining how entrepreneurship can be a force for protecting our seas.

For me, the Marmara isn’t just an environmental issue; it’s a space where innovation, community, and ocean health meet. I’m committed to leading the change and building solutions that make marine conservation accessible, impactful, and rooted in real collaboration.

Urban Resilience Advisor

Sera Tolgay

Hey, I’m Sera. I’m an urban planner, climate adaptation specialist and National Geographic Explorer focused on building resilience in coastal cities and communities. As an advisor to the Marmara Project, I help guide our efforts at the intersection of science, design, and community action, bringing in strategies like geospatial mapping and nature-based solutions.

Whether I’m collaborating with ecologists, engineers, or local youth, my goal is to make environmental change more visible, sustainable, and deeply rooted in place.