07/06/2026
In Memoriam – Paul Bakuwel
It is with great sadness that I share the news of the passing of my dear friend and former colleague, Paul Bakuwel, after a long illness. On behalf of OFI, I extend our deepest condolences to his wife Karin, his children, and all who loved him.
Paul served as OFI Secretary General from 2016 to 2021, and I had the genuine privilege of working alongside him during that time. He arrived at a critical moment — helping to rebuild OFI following the loss of Dr. Alex Ploeg — and he threw himself into that task with characteristic energy and commitment. He was a natural leader: quick to take initiative, generous with his guidance, and always looking for ways to support members and move the organisation forward.
But what I'll remember most is the man behind the role. Paul had an effortless way of lifting a room. Quick with a joke, quicker with a smile, and blessed with one of those personalities that made even the hard days feel a little lighter. When things got tough — and they sometimes did — Paul's instinct was never to dwell. It was to find the funny side, offer a word of encouragement, and get on with it. That was just who he was.
We used to talk almost daily — two people on opposite sides of the world, sharing a virtual coffee, a social chat andnof course some work. Paul's background as a buyer gave him a network that seemed to span the entire industry, and wherever we travelled, he either knew someone in the room or had made a new friend before the evening was out. An effortlessly sociable man and just a really good bloke.
In recent years, as illness took hold, our conversations became less frequent — but they never stopped entirely. Even through difficult times, Paul had a remarkable ability to make light of his situation. That spirit never left him.
I never had the chance to meet his family in person, but I know how deeply proud he was of his children and how much he loved Karin. That came through clearly, every time.
Paul Bakuwel — colleague, confidant, and a genuinely great friend. The aquarium world is smaller without him, and I will miss him very much.
— Shane Willis, on behalf of OFI
