The Dauphin Island Sea Lab (also called the DISL) is a marine research laboratory located on Dauphin Island, Alabama. The lab was founded in 1971 and is part of the University of South Alabama. It is one of the premier marine research facilities in the United States and has been designated as a National Estuarine Research Reserve by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
The DISL conducts a wide variety of research projects focusing on topics such as coastal ecology, fisheries science, oceanography, and atmospheric science. The lab also offers education programs for high school and college students, as well as public outreach programs. In addition to its main campus on Dauphin Island, the DISL operates three satellite campuses: one at Fort Morgan, Alabama; one at Gulf Shores, Alabama; and one in Mobile Bay.
The DISL is an important source of information about the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem and has played a key role in understanding and responding to environmental catastrophes such as the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The lab’s work is essential to protecting this vital region and its wildlife for future generations.