Meral’s path to marine conservation didn’t follow the usual flow. Originally from Toronto, Canada, Meral was on track to becoming a lawyer keen on specializing in ocean law and policy. She was drawn to the field’s potential for social impact and its potential for offering sharper teeth in the fight to protect the oceans and its ecosystems. But as she worked through her studies, an undeniable pull toward the ocean took hold. One that she couldn’t ignore and certainly couldn’t shake; she felt that she needed to be working in the field in a more hands-on capacity to see change in practice. After graduating, Meral faced a pivotal moment of self-reflection. That’s when she chose to leave law behind and pursue her true calling in marine conservation—a decision that would transform her life, career and values.
Her first step into conservation took her to Thailand, where she became involved in reef restoration and quickly embraced scuba diving to immerse herself fully in the work. She completed her open water, advanced, and rescue certifications in quick succession, and when she worked on her first reef restoration site, she felt a powerful shift. That moment confirmed she was exactly where she needed to be, dedicating her life to protecting the ocean and one of its most precious ecosystems.
Today, as Project Manager for the Manta Trust’s Maldives Manta Conservation Programme’s initiative in Raa Atoll, Meral leads a unique effort to protect and study manta rays within one of the world’s most remarkable marine environments. The Manta Trust, a global organization dedicated to the conservation of manta rays and their habitats, operates research and community outreach programs across the globe to promote sustainable ocean ecosystems. In the Maldives, Raa Atoll offers an exceptional backdrop, with its gorgeous coral reefs and rich plankton reserves, making it a prime location for manta ray gatherings.
Meral’s work in Raa Atoll is rooted in a systems-based approach, understanding that the preservation of manta rays is inseparable from the preservation of the overall health of marine ecosystems. For her, mantas are not only mesmerizing creatures but also crucial indicators of the ocean’s well-being. Engaging both tourists and local communities, she emphasizes the importance of maintaining coral health, managing local water quality, and sustaining the broader environmental balance that supports the rays. Her mission is to inspire those she meets to see manta rays not just as incredible animals that you take a few pictures of during a dive, but as keystone species in a delicately interconnected marine world that help us sustain life on earth.
Through her work with Manta Trust, Meral is focused on helping others recognize the ocean as a complex, living system and to appreciate each layer of life it supports. Her trajectory, from Toronto to the atolls of the Maldives, is a testament to the power of following one’s passion and embracing a purpose. Meral is a firm believer in looking inward, confronting hard truths about oneself and letting intuition and love of the ocean direct life’s most important choices.
