Hong Kong Maritime Museum launches New Permanent Marine Science Gallery

The Hong Kong Maritime Museum (HKMM), supported by the Swire Group Charitable Trust, announced the inauguration of the Swire Marine Discovery Centre within its premises on Friday. This new addition includes a permanent gallery dedicated to marine science.

The Marine Science Gallery, which opened its doors today, offers an immersive experience with interactive installations, marine life photographs, and educational research programs. Its primary goal is to enhance public understanding of human impacts on marine ecosystems, underscore the potential loss of Hong Kong's diverse marine life without conservation efforts, and promote knowledge about current initiatives aimed at preserving the local marine environment and biodiversity.

This launch is a significant highlight in the ongoing celebrations of the 20th anniversary of the Hong Kong Maritime Museum.

On February 21, HKMM hosted a special event to mark this significant milestone. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was led by Diane Wong Shuk-han, Under Secretary for the Environment and Ecology Bureau; Richard Sell, Chair of the Swire Group Philanthropy Council; and Richard Hext, Chairman of HKMM.

During the event, Wong highlighted, “With a long coastline of more than 1,100 kilometers, over 200 offshore islands, and diverse coastal and marine habitats, Hong Kong’s marine environment is home to nearly 6,000 marine species. Hong Kong is also home to over 80 species of hard corals here, more than the total found in the Caribbean Sea. The government is dedicated to the protection of our precious marine environment and resources and raising public awareness on their conservation.”

Sell emphasized the importance of marine conservation to Swire, noting, “Marine conservation has long been important to Swire. Healthy marine environments are vital if Hong Kong’s businesses and communities are to thrive. That’s why we are delighted to partner with the Hong Kong Maritime Museum in establishing the Swire Marine Discovery Centre. It will serve as a hub for crucial marine science and conservation dialogue, as well as for public outreach and engagement.”

Hext added, “The Hong Kong Maritime Museum, which focuses on Hong Kong’s relationship with the oceans, celebrates its 20th birthday in 2025. As a private-public partnership which enjoys close links with Hong Kong’s government, business, academic and other sectors, the Hong Kong Maritime Museum is thus perfectly positioned to further public education about - and engagement with - the vital topic of marine conservation.”

He concluded by expressing a shared commitment with the government, Swire, and other participating organizations to enhance public awareness about the importance of maintaining a sustainable marine environment.