(1) The research and educational programs of the Dauphin Island Sea Lab, established by act of the Legislature in 1971 as the administrative home for the Alabama Marine Environmental Sciences Consortium, serve the citizens of all of Alabama’s counties.(2) The mission of the Dauphin Island Sea Lab is to serve the general needs of these citizens, all levels of government, and the academic community by improving ocean literacy and providing the best available science for coastal policy, including the production and dissemination of knowledge regarding world oceans, coastal zones, and watersheds; the training of future generations of oceanic and coastal scientists; and the enhancement of public understanding and stewardship of oceanic and coastal resources.(3) The Dauphin Island Sea Lab serves its mission, in part, by providing an exciting and educational public aquarium whose visual and virtual interactive exhibits, public events, and public excursions highlighting the remarkable diversity of life have been observed by over one million students and other visitors since its opening in 1998.(4) Designating the Dauphin Island Sea Lab’s “Alabama Aquarium” as the official Aquarium of Alabama is the proper manner of recognizing the benefit and importance of the education offered by the Sea Lab.(b) The Dauphin Island Sea Lab’s Alabama Aquarium is designated the official Aquarium of Alabama.(c) The appropriate officials shall place and maintain signs or markers reflecting the designation provided in this section.
