Seaweed Matters
Innovating Belize’s Seaweed Industry
ARTISANAL AQUACULTURE MATTERS
The aquaculture industry has seen explosive growth, with a 300% increase in global production over the past two decades.
However, this growth has come at an environmental cost, destructive industrialization, endangering coastal communities and ecosystems. Our innovative approach at The Institute of Belize promotes low-intensity, quality-focused aquaculture that safeguards the environment through restorative practices.
By carefully selecting sites and species, we minimize harm while maximizing ecosystem benefits like carbon sequestration and habitat creation. Unlike industrialized means of production, we empower marginalized communities in Belize, ensuring farmers benefit significantly, outpacing their Asian counterparts by up to 18 times in pricing of their produce. As demand for seaweed rises by 10% annually, instead of industrialization, join us in rethinking and reshaping the global industry for a sustainable future.
Some of our Stories
The Belize Seaweed Cluster, sponsored by the Compete Caribbean Partnership Facility, officially kicked off its project in southern Belize. Wilbur Dubon, the primary proponent of the project, along with other key partners shared their excitement with the local media.
The Adaptation Fund funded Marine Conservation and Climate Adaptation Project (MCCAP) in Belize, which was aimed at empowering vulnerable communities to adapt to climate-induced storm surges and restore natural resources that protect against disasters. In this interview, Wilbur Dubon speaks about the importance of seaweed mariculture training on coastal communities, primarily fishers.
Belize team's feature on Al Jazeera International for the work we do in artisanal seaweed farming in Belize. The exposure later brought many new partnerships and collaborations for our grassroots organization.
Our Co-Founders
Wilbur Dubon
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wilbur-dubon/
A true visionary in the field of aquaculture, hails from the heart of Belize's aquafarming community and boasts over a decade of passionate dedication as an aquafarming educator and advocate. In a remarkable endeavor, he recently co-founded The Institute of Belize, a non profit multi-stakeholder cooperative with the vision to foster resiliency and sustainability for all Belizeans through training and education, research and development, certifications and a seaweed seed bank.
Wilbur is also the co-founder of Blue Nutrients LLC., a pioneering company committed to both innovating new consumer food products and promoting existing artisanal offerings. Through this initiative, he not only champions the cause of farmers but also elevates their livelihoods, thereby enhancing their quality of life.
Wilbur's unwavering commitment to transformative change is also exemplified in his role as the Manager of the Placencia Producers Cooperative. Here, he leads the cooperative's transition from its traditional fishing roots to a forward-looking focus on sustainable aquafarming and real estate ventures. In addition to these remarkable achievements, Wilbur is actively engaged in the development of The Institute of Belize, a non-profit organization poised to empower grassroots farmers worldwide through pioneering research, skills training, and collaborative partnerships.
At the core of Wilbur's beliefs lies the conviction that artisanal farming is the path to a brighter and more sustainable future.
Education:
M.Sc. in Aquaculture (National Taiwan Ocean University)
B.Sc. in Natural Resource Management (University of Belize)
A.S. in Chemistry and Environmental Science (Independence
Christina R. Kinder
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christina-r-kinder
Christina Kinder is a visionary angel investor with a profound commitment to education. With over three decades of astute business expertise and a deep dedication to philanthropy, Christina has harnessed her passion for the Belizean Community.
Her philanthropic journey in Belize began in 2018 when she embarked on a transformative partnership that evolved from a modest seaweed training program into the ambitious venture, where she is the co-founder, of The Institute of Belize, a non profit multistakeholder cooperative with the vision to foster resiliency and sustainability for all Belizians through training and education, research and development, certifications and a seaweed seed bank. Christina's philanthropic acumen has been honed to drive the Institute's expansion, encompassing K-12 and higher education programs through dynamic university partnerships.
As the Founder of Heva and Co-founder of the Institute of Belize, Christina is at the forefront of sustainable innovation. She steers the ship with precision, overseeing the company's operations, managing a dedicated team of professionals and contractors, and spearheading the development and execution of strategic objectives. Christina Kinder is a visionary force, driving positive change and educational empowerment in Belize and beyond
