About Us

Aerial view of the University of Texas Marine Science Institute.

Science and the SeaTM is a production of The University of Texas Marine Science Institute on the Gulf of Mexico in Port Aransas, Texas. 

The sea affects our lives in many ways - we relax by its shores and play on its surface, eat of its bounty and enjoy its beauty, it moderates our climate and fuels powerful storms, and it supports an amazingly rich and diverse ecosystem. Researchers know a great deal about how marine life survives and even thrives in the sea, how the sea is critical to human life on the land, and how man affects the vast ocean. 

The goal of Science and the SeaTM is to convey this understanding of the sea and its myriad life forms to everyone, so that they, too, can fully appreciate this amazing resource. We do this through magazine articles, a radio program, and activities on our website. In all of these, we provide entertaining stories and activities that teach about the marine world and even convey how scientists approach, and ultimately solve, some of the oceans' mysteries.

The University of Texas Marine Science Institute began conducting research in 1946 and is the oldest marine laboratory in Texas. Some of the world's premiere marine scientists are based here and their research spans the globe: from the north slope of Alaska to the hydrothermal vents of the South Pacific; from the mangrove forests of Belize to the sea ice of Antarctica; and from the coastal bays and hypersaline lagoons of Texas to the coral reefs of Hawaii. Our graduate program trains future marine scientists through its master's and doctoral degree programs.

The Marine Science Institute is also home to Marine Education Services, a leader in marine education for school children, teachers, visiting college classes, and senior groups. Marine Education Services promotes interest in marine science through educational programs designed especially for teachers, students, and the general public.