The Center, founded in 1963 and reorganized in 1995 and 2003, is located at the eastern end of the Seto Inland Sea, facing Osaka Bay. Our mission is to understand the origin of the characteristic environment found in inland seas, to elucidate the mechanisms of their functions, to investigate the diversity and behavior of all marine organisms living there, and to contribute to the preservation of these environments for them. The Center has "Marine Site" at Iwaya in north Awaji Island, provided with dormitory for about 30 students, and the research boat "Onokoro." Kobe University Macroalgal Culture Collection (KU-MACC) belonging to the Center, holds about 600 seaweed strains, and distributes them for research and educational purposes.