The Beaty Centre for Marine Biodiversity

Presenting The Beaty Centre for Marine Biodiversity—a first-of-its-kind ocean science centre for Halifax. Opening in late 2025, this interactive centre will give visitors unprecedented opportunities to discover marine life and explore research exhibits that reveal our connection to the ocean and our role in protecting it.

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Inspiring people to help sustain the ocean

Construction of the highly anticipated Beaty Centre is underway at ��ɫֱ��’s Steele Ocean Sciences Building—the hub of the university’s marine biology and marine biodiversity research. This first-of-its-kind interactive ocean and science discovery centre will showcase the innovative work being done by Dal researchers who are dedicated to protecting our vital ocean resources. It will also encourage local students, Nova Scotians, and visitors from around the world to think about how they can contribute to a more sustainable ocean.��

Blue text on a white background that reads the Beaty Centre for Marine Biodiversity

A place of research, discovery, and action

Research

The Beaty Centre will showcase ��ɫֱ��’s groundbreaking work in understanding and protecting marine biodiversity, making it accessible for everyone. It will also provide students with hands-on research opportunities that prepare them to be the ocean leaders of the future.

Discovery

Exhibits at the Beaty Centre will create an immersive experience that highlights the history, beauty, and marine life of the Northwest Atlantic Ocean. Visitors will discover how the Mi’kmaw people have respectfully and responsibly used the ocean’s resources for generations. They will encounter an 18-metre blue whale skeleton—a reminder of the species that are at risk from human activities. They will also come face to face with common and invasive species that live hidden from sight in the waters around Nova Scotia.��

Action

The Beaty Centre will show visitors how they can each play a role in achieving a more sustainable ocean through the choices and changes they make.�� They will also see how they can work together to have a major impact, such as shoreline cleanups.

A unique collaboration with Discovery Centre International

The Beaty Centre will be operated by Discovery Centre International (DCI) in collaboration with ��ɫֱ��. DCI has over 35 years of experience in the management of science centres. The Beaty Centre will benefit greatly from their expertise and proven success, helping to bring its mission to life.

Support the Beaty Centre for Marine Biodiversity

Your support of the Beaty Centre for Marine Biodiversity will help us create a space that inspires visitors to protect the ocean’s species and its delicate ecosystems.

Interested in other naming opportunities at the Beaty Centre? Please email Mila MacLean, Director of Development, Faculty of Science, for more details.��

Latest Beaty Centre news

Science alum helps marine creatures prepare for Beaty Centre for Marine Biodiversity debut

Making sure that marine creatures can transition comfortably to the new Beaty Centre for Marine Biodiversity is a real challenge. But it’s all in a day’s work for Nayla Sernowsky (BSc’24) at Dal’s Aquatron.

Sernowsky wearing orange hip wader overalls and smiling while holding a medium-sized fish inside the Aquatron lab.

��ɫֱ��’s Aquatron readies marine species for new on‑campus science centre

How do you make a deep-sea octopus feel at home? Aquatron aquarist Nayla Sernowsky (BSc’24) has learned a lot about cephalopod comforts — insights that will help marine creatures make a successful debut at the new Beaty Centre for Marine Biodiversity when it opens to public.

New marine biodiversity centre will attract community and excite ocean enthusiasts

A generous gift from Ross Beaty and his family will help create a facility that engages the community and sheds light on the marine biodiversity crisis.

Tanks on level 1 of the Beaty Centre that will house a diverse array of species

Take the virtual tour

Explore the Beaty Centre for Marine Biodiversity and its unique exhibits by taking a virtual tour.

Preserving a blue whale exhibit

See how ��ɫֱ�� researchers preserved a blue whale skeleton for a major exhibit at the Beaty Centre.

Give to Dive In: The Blue Whale Project

You can be a part of this exciting new addition to our campus by naming one of the blue whale bones in the Beaty Centre for Marine Biodiversity. It is a great way to honour a loved one, a group, or an organization.

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