The Alaska SeaLife Center is one of the only non-profit organizations in the world that has both a public aquarium and fully supported research facility in the same building. With state-of-the-art laboratories, aquarium animals that participate in research and our extensive field work, the Alaska SeaLife Center has quickly become the cold-water research facility in the United States. We are affiliated with the University of Alaska Fairbanks and also collaborate with numerous state, federal and international agencies and universities—which can mean only one thing—our research is conducted by some of the top marine scientists in the world!

For nearly a decade, the ASLC has been studying the marine ecosystems of Alaska and the species who call it home. This includes species of marine mammals, sea birds, fish and invertebrates—some of which have been listed as threatened or endangered species. But the Alaska SeaLife Center is perhaps best known for specializing in marine mammal and sea bird research. Since 1998, the ASLC has helped pioneer research on Steller sea lions, eiders, harbor seals, sea otters, fur seals and other species experiencing population declines in Alaska. In all our efforts, we strive to develop cutting-edge technology and techniques, while minimizing our impact on the species and environment we study.

The ASLC Research Department currently includes dedicated programs for pinnipeds (seals and sea lions), eiders, sea otters and salmon. Newly added to the suite of species-focused programs is an oceanographic program that will compliment a more ecosystem-based approach towards understanding the Alaska marine environments.