Emir Berkane

Biography

Emir Berkane is an Algerian physician, underwater explorer, speleologist, marine biologist, and environmental activist dedicated to protecting Mediterranean biodiversity, particularly sharks. He chairs the Probiom Foundation for the Protection of Marine Biodiversity and coordinates the GREBA (Great Sharks of the Algerian Basin) and Mediterranean Shark programs in Algeria. Berkane co-founded the El Amir private hospital in 2009 and invests in organic farming. A Mares brand ambassador, he contributes to initiatives such as the deployment of artificial reefs and marine conservation laws. He has led the Mediterranean Great Sharks (GREBA) project since 2015, studying and tagging shark species and raising public awareness. Berkane supports artificial reefs in Algeria, including the first deployments by Probiom. He is involved in the conservation of Nephrops (Pochard) through marine expeditions, as part of broader biodiversity work. Emire Berkane also produces educational documentary films such as "Les Maisons de la Mer" by Hamza Mendil, which won a Bronze Palm at the World Festival of Underwater Images, about artificial reefs, documentaries on shark conservation and exploration and climbing films about the mountain ranges of Algeria such as "Twïza, L'Aventure Algérienne" (2019), "Via Annaba" (2024), "Tissalatine, Le Rappel Du Hoggar" (2025).