The Trust
The Wellington Marine Conservation Trust (WMCT) was formed and registered as a Charitable Trust in 1999 by Dr Victor Anderlini and Ms Judy Hutt, who have delivered educational programmes at their Island Bay Marine Education Centre (IBMEC) on the Wellington South Coast since 1996.
The primary aim of the Trust is “To inspire wise stewardship of New Zealand’s marine ecosystems and resources for present and future generations.” Our core aim is to provide every visitor an opportunity to see and learn about our local marine environment through live displays of local marine life and exciting, hands-on, interactive formal and informal educational experiences.
The Wellington Marine Conservation Trust is an incorporated and registered charitable trust and its charitable status was approved by the Inland Revenue Department and confirmed by the Charities Commission in 2008.
Aims and Objectives
- To create and operate a not for profit, self-supporting marine education centre aiming to stimulate interest in, increase knowledge of and promote wise stewardship of local, national, and global marine environments through innovative live exhibits, public education programmes, and community-initiated projects;
- To expose the general public to the rich diversity of marine life living on the Wellington South Coast, Cook Strait and New Zealand;
- To stimulate the interest of pre-school and school age children in science in general and marine science in particular;
- To instill community awareness of local, national and international marine stewardship issues related to the marine environment including over-exploitation of natural resources, climate change, pollution and habitat destruction.
Governance
The Trust is currently governed by 4 Trustees. Click here to see Trustee profiles.