Plymouth University pledges support for Marine Centre

This month, Plymouth University’s Marine Institute have committed to financial support for Wembury Marine Centre for the next three years to help continue its popular range of educational and outreach work.

The Marine Institute (MI) support will help with the running of the Centre and the link up will also involve students from Plymouth University working as volunteers at the Centre during the season which starts again in April 2012. Another aspect of the relationship will be the opportunity for students to support key areas of marine conservation research in conjunction with Devon Wildlife Trust. Visitors to Wembury will also be able to find out about the work of the MI and its cutting edge work in marine science.

Plymouth University is known for its UK-leading marine biology degrees, supported within the MI by world class marine science research and a suite of other marine expertise across engineering, business and arts. With over 180 academic staff involved in marine and maritime activity and 2600 students enrolled on marine courses, the MI is the largest such institute in the UK University sector.

Susan Warren, DWT’s Acting Director of Programmes said: “It’s fantastic to have such a well respected academic institute on board to support the work of the Wembury Marine Partnership. This will really help with the smooth running of the Centre and provide additional resources to expand its work. We hope not only to have closer ties to the University but also help raise awareness of the importance of marine studies to the area.”

Professor Martin Attrill Director of the Marine Institute said: "We are delighted to be working more closely with the Wembury Marine Centre Partnership to help maintain and develop the activities at the Centre. The WMC and its surrounding shores represent one of the most important resources for marine research, conservation and education in the region and so to have our students and researchers actively involved is a great opportunity "

Wembury Marine Centre is overseen by the Wembury Partnership made up of Devon Wildlife Trust, Devon County Council, South Hams District Council and the National Trust. Plymouth University Marine Institute will now join this group.

Robin Toogood from South Hams District Council said: “It is great to welcome Plymouth University’s Marine Institute to the partnership running Wembury Marine Centre. Their expertise in teaching and research will add another big dimension to the tremendous marine education work already happening at Wembury.”