In collaboration with the Mediterranean Conservation Society (AKD) and the Board Members Association (YÜD), a special screening of Ocean with David Attenborough was held at Yapı Kredi Plaza. The event brought together leaders from the business world, academics, experts, and representatives of civil society organizations in a powerful gathering that shared a common responsibility — protecting the future of our seas.
“This is not just a documentary, it’s a collective call. The ocean can revive — and it’s in our hands.” Mediterranean Conservation Society
Ocean with David Attenborough is co-produced by Revive Our Ocean and National Geographic Pristine Seas, and narrated by world-renowned natural historian Sir David Attenborough. The documentary powerfully portrays both the threats facing our oceans and their remarkable capacity to recover.
A Message of Hope from the OceanNarrated by David Attenborough, Ocean reveals both the breathtaking beauty and the fragility of the ocean, reminding us of humanity’s power to protect it. Featuring never-before-seen footage of legal yet destructive bottom trawling, the film underscores the vital role that effective Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) play in reviving the ocean.
Co-hosted by AKD and YÜD, in collaboration with Revive Our Ocean and National Geographic Pristine Seas, this special screening emphasized the importance of collaboration between business, academia, and civil society for a sustainable future in harmony with nature.
Revive Our Ocean – Türkiye One of the co-producers of the film, Revive Our Ocean, is a new global initiative inspiring ocean action through an innovative business model that makes coastal marine conservation scalable, sustainable and community-driven. The Revive Our Ocean Collective is a growing network of leading organizations in countries already proving that coastal marine protection works — and mentoring others in how it can be done. As the lead organization of Revive Our Ocean in Türkiye, the Mediterranean Conservation Society is expanding its community-based marine protection model nationwide. Building on its pioneering work in Gökova Bay—the first effectively managed MPA in Türkiye—AKD continues to demonstrate that when local fishers and coastal communities are empowered, the sea can truly come back to life.“The sea is the source of everything—and also where the solution begins. Protecting the sea and the life within it means hope in the face of the climate crisis.” – Mediterranean Conservation Society.
Highly protected marine areas not only safeguard nature but also revitalize local economies. Effective MPAs restore marine life while supporting sustainable tourism and fisheries, directly contributing to the well-being of coastal communities.
Following the screening, business leaders highlighted that protecting marine ecosystems is not only an environmental necessity but also an economic imperative. Participants agreed that the private sector, academia, and civil society must join forces to create new MPAs along Türkiye’s coasts, inspired by the successful Gökova Bay model.
Ocean with David Attenborough delivers a powerful message: The ocean has an extraordinary capacity to recover—if we act now.
Zafer Kizilkaya, President and Founder of Akdeniz Koruma Dernği (AKD), stated, “This documentary is not merely a compelling visual narrative; it is a powerful call to action grounded in science, experience, and hope. Ocean with David Attenborough has already demonstrated its impact through the international awards it has received. We are proud to have contributed to one of the film’s most striking segments, featuring the first-ever recorded footage of legally permitted yet highly destructive bottom trawling. These images reveal with unprecedented clarity what is truly happening beneath the surface. More than a decade of work in Gökova Bay has shown us that when local communities are empowered and destructive practices are halted, the sea genuinely comes back to life. The success of Gökova proves that restoration is possible — and that effective protection benefits nature, the economy, and coastal communities alike.”Kristin Rechberger, Founder and Executive Director of Revive Our Ocean & Executive Producer of OCEAN with David Attenborough, shared, “We are proud to have MCS as a Revive Our Ocean Collective member, building from the amazing success of Gökova Bay - proving that protection brings marine life back. With the leadership and experience of MCS, we have no doubt that Türkiye can build on Gökova’s success and turn its sea into a vibrant marine haven that also supports well-managed tourism inside the MPA and fishing around it for local community benefit. “
Dr. Enric Sala, Founder of National Geographic Pristine Seas & Executive Producer of OCEAN with David Attenborough, said “The Gökova Bay marine protected area is an example for the entire Mediterranean. It recovered vulnerable species, increased the income of local fishers, and is a tourism attraction. It’s a triple win. Türkiye should create more marine reserves because they’re a good business for every one.”
About Revive Our Ocean:
Revive Our Ocean, a co-producer of Ocean with David Attenborough, a new global initiative inspiring ocean action through an innovative business model that makes coastal marine conservation scalable, sustainable and community-driven. Built on three pillars – Inspire, Enable, and Equip – the initiative drives real change by providing effective partners and local communities with the tools and resources needed to create and sustain Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). At its core, Revive Our Ocean aims to transform MPAs into regenerative businesses, proving that conservation and economic prosperity can go hand in hand. Revive Our Ocean focuses on two critical goals: showcasing coastal MPAs as sustainable economic engines, and stopping destructive fishing within MPAs, including bottom trawling. Coordinated by Dynamic Planet and co-founded with National Geographic Pristine Seas, the initiative underscores that when we protect our ocean, it can recover at an unprecedented scale – revitalizing marine life, improving food security, and strengthening local economies. Revive Our Ocean is a rallying cry for businesses, governments, and communities to work together to safeguard our planet’s most threatened life-support system. Rooted in local knowledge and action, the initiative partners with best-in-class ocean conservation leaders in each country, ensuring that marine protection is driven by those who know their waters best.