About SWIMS

The Swire Institute of Marine Science (SWIMS) is a research facility of The University of Hong Kong’s Faculty of Science, situated on the Cape d’Aguilar peninsula, on the shores of Hong Kong’s only Marine Reserve.  SWIMS provides a first class research environment for marine scientists, especially, postgraduate students, and includes two residential blocks on the cliffs overlooking the academic block.

SWIMS aims to:

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  1. develop an internationally acclaimed research centre focusing on marine science in SE Asia and the NW Pacific;​​

  2. generate a research culture to train young scientists to an international standard who can play a role in the management and conservation of marine resources in the region;

  3. provide an interdisciplinary research environment to initiate novel research ideas and applications; and

  4. foster research and education links and collaborations with other marine facilities in the SE Asian and global scientific community.

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To achieve these, research focuses on shallow water marine ecosystems, specifically​

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  • Ecology and biodiversity: to determine the responses of marine organisms to environmental conditions and the impacts of climate change;

  • Anthropogenic impacts: to ascertain the ecotoxicology of pollutants and relevant environmental health standards; and genomic / proteomic responses to stress of commercial species; and

  • Conservation and management: to achieve science-based management and conservation of fisheries and marine resources and ecosystems in a sustainable manner.