Oceana Honors Wavemakers at 2025 Annual General Meeting
Brianna Boyd named National Wavemaker of the Year
Press Release Date: October 6, 2025
Location: Belize City, Belize
Contact:
Belize City, Belize – Oceana in Belize held its 2025 Annual General Meeting on Saturday, October 4th, 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 2025 Wavemakers of the Year are:
- Alfonso Alcala, Corozal District
- Jamir Muñoz, Orange Walk District
- Yolanda Magana, Belize District
- Damris Blades, Cayo District
- Rudy Villanueva, Stann Creek District
- Federico Caal, Toledo District
During the event, Brianna Boyd was named National Wavemaker of the Year, and Hamanasi Adventure and Dive Resort was given the Partner of the Year award.
Brianna Boyd, is a 24-year-old third-generation tourism professional. Raised on South Water Caye — a small island just outside of Dangriga Town — Brianna’s passion for conservation stems from her early connection to the reef. Her work spans national and international platforms, from cleanups and climate education, to youth and entrepreneur initiatives. As Secretary of the Belize Tourism Industry Association’s Dangriga Chapter and an active Oceana Wavemaker, she bridges conservation, tourism, and youth empowerment, promoting authenticity, cultural pride, and community building to protect Belize’s people and special places.
Hamanasi Adventure and Dive Resort, located in Hopkins Village, has long championed responsible tourism and marine conservation, leading by example in protecting Belize’s natural resources while empowering local communities. Hamanasi continues to support Oceana’s work in Belize through collaborative efforts in community engagement activities and the passion of their management and staff in lending their voices to advocate for stronger constitutional protections of Belize’s marine resources. Their commitment to sustainability, from reef-safe diving practices to community engagement, reflects the shared vision that when we safeguard our environment together, we secure a thriving future for all.
This year’s guest speaker, Mr. Jamal Galves, also known locally as The Manatee Man, is no stranger to the conservation community in Belize. He has made waves both locally and internationally due to his passion for protecting manatees and, by extension, Belize’s precious marine ecosystems. He has received numerous awards and honors, including being named an Oceana Ocean Hero, a Belizean National Hero by the Government of Belize, a National Geographic Explorer, and a NatGeo Photo Ark EDGE Fellow, among others. Jamal is currently the Program Coordinator and Research Biologist for Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute in Belize, where he shares his knowledge of manatees with researchers, students, and community members from all over the world.
The theme of Jamal’s address, “An Ocean Between Us,” emphasized the interconnectedness of people around the world through the oceans that sustain all our lives. He shared how the inspiration for his life’s work began when he was just a young boy, drawn to learning more about manatees and how he can help to protect them and the ecosystems they call home. Jamal encouraged the Wavemakers to begin where they are, reminding them that even small actions can create waves of change.
In her remarks, Oceana’s Vice President for Belize Janelle Chanona encouraged the Wavemakers to remain empowered and hopeful in their shared mission to protect the future of Belize’s treasured sea.
“You have the audacity not just to know that we have a treasure worth protection, worth your time, worth your blood sweat and tears, you know that you make a difference,” Chanona said. “You know that when we get together, unity is strength. When we get together, big things happen. When we get together, we change the world for the better. Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. And that’s power, my friends.”
Oceana in Belize’s Wavemakers are part of a global community of over a million Oceana Wavemakers. Each year, we are inspired by the commitment of Belizeans who speak up and take action to protect our marine environment. Oceana is dedicated to continuing this partnership, working hand in hand with Belizeans to safeguard our ocean resources and the communities whose livelihoods depend on them.
Find photos of the event here.
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To join Oceana’s community of Wavemakers working to protect Belize’s marine life, sign up at belize.oceana.org
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Oceana is the largest international 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 325 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 belize.oceana.org to learn more.
