The Dauphin Island Sea Lab’s (DISL) mission encompasses the pursuit of excellence in marine science education, marine research, coastal zone management policy and educating the general public through the Estuarium, our public aquarium.
The University of Alabama’s interest in teaching marine biology eventually led to the construction of a modern laboratory on Dauphin Island as part of the Department of Conservation, Seafood Division. The Marine Science Program at the University of Alabama was the first tenant at the current Dauphin Island Sea Lab facility, as part of the Marine Environmental Sciences Consortium.
The Presidents of Chief Executive Officers of the Member Institutions across the state of Alabama serve as the DISL’s Board of Directors, which determines the general policies of the Sea Lab. This board is know as the Marine Environmental Sciences Consortium. You can find that listing here: Marine Enviromental Sciences Consortium.
The Dauphin Island Sea Lab Foundation (DISLF) supports the Dauphin Island Sea Lab in its mission, “to provide wise stewardship of the marine environment through education and research”. The foundation provides funds to sustain the activities of the Sea Lab and promotes awareness of the Sea Lab and its environmental issues. The Foundation is also continuing to build the George C. Crozier Endowment as well as the DISLF Endowment for the Dauphin Island Sea Lab.
Discovery Hall Programs marine education programs include K-12 students, teacher training/ enhancement programs, and public outreach. It promotes conservation through education, research, and outreach.
The K-12 School Year Programs are available through Discovery Hall Programs. These programs are available September through May, and are by reservation only.
The Discovery Hall Programs offer a variety of programs for your children during the summer, ranging from single-day programs to residential camps and academic courses.
Discovery Hall Programs strives to provide current and relevant continuing education opportunities for teachers and informal educators through hands-on workshops.
Discovery Hall Programs has developed a variety of activities focused ROVs, to take advantage of K-12 students’ interest in robotics, marine biology and oceanography.
The BayMobile is DISL’s science classroom on wheels, whose mission is to visit underserved schools in the state of Alabama which do not have the opportunity or the means to visit the Dauphin Island Sea Lab on a field trip.
While the DISL serves as the focal point of graduate education in marine science in the state of Alabama, it is not a degree-granting institution, and graduate degrees are offered through ten of the 22 DISL Member Schools.
The focus of the REU Program is to provide participants with the opportunity to carry out an independent research project while working under the direction of a faculty mentor.
Since 1971, Dauphin Island Sea Lab (DISL) personnel have collected valuable environmental and ecosystem level data as part of research and monitoring efforts in the fields of oceanography and ecology. These data are highly valuable to researchers, educators, managers, policy makers, and the general public.
Since 1971, research personnel at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab (DISL) have collected valuable environmental and ecosystem level data as part of research and monitoring endeavors.
The Dauphin Island Sea Lab (DISL) has been a practicing member of American Academy of Underwater Science since 1992 and currently provides scientific diver training and oversite for all participating schools within the Marine Environmental Sciences Consortium (MESC).
One of 12 consortia funded by the Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (GoMRI) and led by the Dauphin Island Sea Lab, ACER is comprised of 17 research scientists from nine universities investigating how biodiversity influences an ecosystem’s resilience. Specifically, the ecosystems of the northern Gulf of Mexico to the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
Find all the information you need to make the most of your visit in our public aquarium. Hours, Pricing and even our live streaming webcams can be found here!
The Estuarium at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab hosts a number of events for the public. The free, twice-monthly Boardwalk Talk program offers the public a chance to engage with the experts at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab. The Summer Excursion program takes visitors into the habitats studied by our marine scientists, researchers and students at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab.
Join the Friends of the Sea Lab and you will receive the opportunity to the visit the Estuarium year round for just your yearly membership fee. There are many other amazing perks as well!
Discovery Day is the Dauphin Island Sea Lab’s open house for the public. Once a year, the public is given a tour of our research facilities to learn about our coastal environment and the research our team is working on.
Discover an authentic Gulf Coast experience at The Dauphin Island Sea Lab. Our 5 unique venues combine on-point technology and amenities to keep you focused.