Aylin Ulman

The sea is definitely where I feel most at home. I became a PADI scuba instructor in 1999, and soon realized my passion for sharks outweighs most other passions. When I see them underwater, my heart literally bursts and I have this urge to get close to them and pass this love to them. The fact that many species of sharks are rapidly declining is not ok. We need to mobilize action where it is most needed. After teaching diving for about 10 years around the world, I realized I needed to improve my education to be able to help where it is needed most.

In 2013 I received my Masters degree in Fisheries Science from the University of British Columbia, which gave me a great introduction from some of the best marine biologists of how to conduct science that matters. After that, I won an amazing scholarship to conduct my PhD in Italy and Paris studying alien species in the Mediterranean where I got to travel to seven countries to conduct my fıeld research. We did the largest study ever completed on alien species in the Mediterranean, identifying 74 alien species only in marinas. In 2018 I moved to southern Turkey, where my family is from, and opened my own Marine Conservation Consulting company Mersea Marine Consulting in 2019. I specialize in pufferfish, lionfish and shark research, along with providing English editing services for academics. I also fund my research through selling invasive lionfish jewelry.

I have an amazing international team that provides support wherever needed and am optimistic that along with my many passionate collaborators, together we can do the science that matters, help guide policy changes and improve the declining state of the seas. I always work hard to achieve my goals and am confident we know what steps are most important to take to achieve them. Thank you for the visit.

March 2021