On Saturday, October 5th, Oceana in Belize hosted its 2024 Annual General Meeting at St. Catherine’s Academy Mercy Center, bringing together over 300 dedicated Wavemakers, allies, and partners from across the nation. The event showcased Belize’s collective commitment to marine conservation and recognized outstanding leaders in the community.
As part of the tradition, several Wavemakers were honored for their exceptional contributions to improving the quality of life in their regions. This year’s Wavemakers of the Year included Glendy Chiquin from the Corozal District, Astrid Cal from Orange Walk District, Liam Sanchez from Belize District, Georgia Belezaire from Cayo District, Schylyr Logan from Stann Creek District, and Roxanna Shook from Toledo District.
The highlight of the evening was the announcement of Dassia Regalado as the National Wavemaker of the Year. Regalado, a committed conservationist and veterinary professional from Seine Bight Village in the Stann Creek District, has made significant strides in environmental sustainability. She founded Evergreen Marketing in 2020 to spotlight eco-friendly entrepreneurs and initiated the 3R's Plastic Initiative, which transforms waste into functional art. Currently serving as the Project Officer for the Waste Recycling Environment Network (WREN), Regalado has actively volunteered with Oceana and led a petition that garnered 22,090 signatures in support of constitutional protections regarding offshore oil development.
Sea of Life was honored as Partner of the Year for its relentless efforts against plastic pollution. The organization promotes sustainable practices and conducts impactful trash audits, empowering local communities to tackle plastic waste and reduce single-use plastics, particularly in schools.
This year’s guest speaker, Mr. Jules Vasquez, news editor at Tropical Vision Ltd., delivered an inspiring message that encouraged Wavemakers to embrace the transformative power of water in their advocacy. He highlighted the significance of the 22,000 signatures collected in support of a referendum that allows Belizeans to decide the future of offshore oil drilling, urging attendees to remain active in their volunteer efforts and to challenge leaders when necessary.
Oceana in Belize’s Wavemakers are part of a global community of over a million advocates dedicated to marine preservation. The organization remains committed to collaborating with Belizeans to protect the country’s vital marine resources and the livelihoods they support.
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