Chef Sean Kuylen honored as Oceana’s 2022 National Wavemaker

By Zoila Palma Gonzalez: On October 22, Oceana wavemakers from across the country participated in Oceana’s 2022 Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at the Saint Catherine Academy Multi-purpose Mercy Center in Belize City.

Over 200 hundred wavemakers attended the event.

During the AGM, several wavemakers were recognized for their sensational support for Oceana’s campaigns and initiatives over the past year.

The 2022 awardees are Gival Marin from Corozal; Manuel Novelo from Orange Walk; Marci Mejia from Belize City; the Interact Club of Sacred Heart College in Cayo; Ethan Velasquez from Stann Creek, and Yesenia Figueroa from Toledo.

Oceana also proudly recognized the Scout Association of Belize with its first ever Partner of the Year Award, and Chef Sean Kuylen as the 2022 National Wavemaker of the Year.

Born in Corozal and raised in Belize’s ‘Kulcha Capital’ – Dangriga, Chef  Kuylen’s passion and commitment for Belize’s marine resources has always taken center stage.

Sean has the distinction of being one of Oceana’s very first influencers.

From the kitchen, he helped to protest offshore oil drilling in Belize, at the riverside he spoke to fishers about the negative impacts of destructive fishing gear and online, he’s educated over 13,000 followers about the importance of reducing plastic pollution.

Sean was also vital in conceptualizing the Fish Right Eat Right initiative, along with Chefs like Jennie Staines.

“They saw the need to educate local chefs and consumers on the fisheries regulations, and to recognize and incentivize restauranteurs to support fisherfolk who abide by the laws and uphold best practices in sustainability,” Oceana noted.

In addition, Chef Sean says that he is thrilled to witness Belize taking on big roles in the kinds of policies the world needs right now such as the ban on gillnets, single-use plastics and of course, the moratorium on offshore oil.

He believes these are the kinds of laws that show that Belize is “making a conscious effort to conserve the environment and use resources sustainably.”

This year’s guest speakers were Daril Avila and Dominique Noralez of the Young Leaders Alliance of Belize (YLAB), both of whom emphasized the critical importance of youth participation in the decision, making processes that will determine their inheritance, the quality of their lives as determined by the integrity of our natural resources.

“Oceana in Belize’s dedicated wavemakers countrywide are an essential pillar of our advocacy. We are proud to stand alongside Belizeans who are always ready and willing to speak up for our precious marine environment. Belizean supporters are among the more than a million Oceana Wavemakers from across the globe who support the protection and restoration of the world’s oceans,” Oceana stated.

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