Oceana Honors Wavemakers at 2024 Annual General Meeting
Dassia Regalado named National Wavemaker of the Year
Press Release Date: October 7, 2024
Location: Belize City, Belize
Contact:
Belize City, Belize – Oceana in Belize held its 2024 Annual General Meeting on Saturday, October 5th, at St. Catherine’s Academy Mercy Center in Belize City. The event brought together over 300 passionate Wavemakers, allies and partners from across the country, highlighting Belize’s collective commitment to marine conservation. As is tradition, Wavemakers were awarded for their leadership and commitment to improving the quality of life of their respective communities. The 2024 Wavemakers of the Year are:
- Glendy Chiquin, Corozal District
- Astrid Cal, Orange Walk District
- Liam Sanchez, Belize District
- Georgia Belezaire, Cayo District
- Schylyr Logan, Stann Creek District
- Roxanna Shook, Toledo District
During the event, Dassia Regalado was named National Wavemaker of the Year, and the Sea of Life organization received the Partner of the Year award.
Dassia Regalado, is a dedicated conservationist and veterinary professional working in Seine Bight Village in the Stann Creek District. She has made remarkable contributions to environmental sustainability. In 2020, she founded Evergreen Marketing, a platform that highlights eco-friendly entrepreneurs. Her innovative 3R’s Plastic Initiative transforms waste into functional art, offering creative solutions to pressing environmental challenges. Currently, Dassia serves as the Project Officer for the Waste Recycling Environment Network (WREN), an international consultancy that connects global change-makers. Her significant contributions to Oceana include volunteering at numerous events and advocating for a petition signed by 22,090 Belizeans, calling for Constitutional protection of the right to be consulted via a national referendum on offshore oil development. Dassia has also partnered with Oceana for various beach cleanups through Evergreen Marketing.
Sea of Life has been a steadfast champion in the fight against plastic pollution, leading initiatives that promote sustainable practices and hold companies accountable. Their impactful trash audits and partnerships, including Oceana, have empowered local change-makers to gather essential data on plastic waste, significantly deepening understanding and action at the grassroots level. They have been instrumental in advocating for the reduction of single-use plastics in schools, specifically targeting water bottles and bags. By promoting reusable alternatives, Sea of Life is helping to reduce waste and lessen the environmental footprint in educational institutions across the country.
This year’s guest speaker, Mr. Jules Vasquez, news editor and media executive at Tropical Vision Ltd., delivered an inspiring message to the Wavemakers. He emphasized the dual nature of water—not only as a free-flowing force but also as a powerful and transformative element. Mr. Vasquez encouraged the Wavemakers to embody this spirit, urging them not just to “catch the wave” but to be water in their advocacy efforts. He highlighted their collective strength, as demonstrated by the over 22,000 signatures gathered in 2023 in support of a referendum that empowers Belizeans to decide the future of offshore oil in Belize. He called upon them to continue their volunteerism, to speak out even when it challenges leaders, and to take decisive action now for a sustainable Belize in the future.
Oceana in Belize’s Wavemakers are part of a global community of over a million Oceana Wavemakers. Year after year, we are inspired by the passion and dedication of Belizeans who advocate and act for our marine environment. Oceana remains committed to working alongside Belizeans to safeguard our marine resources and the livelihoods that depend on them.
Find photos of the event here.
###
Oceana is the largest international advocacy organization dedicated solely to ocean conservation. Oceana is rebuilding abundant and biodiverse oceans by winning science-based policies in countries that control one-quarter of the world’s wild fish catch. With more than 300 victories that stop overfishing, habitat destruction, oil and plastic pollution, and the killing of threatened species like turtles, whales, and sharks, Oceana’s campaigns are delivering results. A restored ocean means that 1 billion people can enjoy a healthy seafood meal every day, forever. Together, we can save the oceans and help feed the world. Visit www.belize.oceana.org to learn more.
