Fellow spotlight: Taylor McCoy

As an Alaska Sea Grant State Fellow, Taylor McCoy is working with the Alaska Mariculture Research and Training Center to support Alaska’s mariculture industry. McCoy is gathering insights from Alaska farmers and other experts with the goal of sharing their experiences, successes and challenges with new and established farmers across the state. Under the guidance of Alaska Sea Grant mariculture specialist Melissa Good, McCoy is creating a manual that will serve as a cornerstone for building seaweed cultivation training programs statewide.

Based at the Kodiak Seafood and Marine Science Center, McCoy is collaborating with industry leaders, mariculture faculty and other personnel at University of Alaska campuses to develop a comprehensive seaweed cultivation manual tailored to Alaska’s unique marine ecosystems. McCoy is also engaging with established kelp farmers, hatchery operators, and mariculture specialists across Kodiak, Kachemak Bay, Prince William Sound and Southeast Alaska.

“This hands-on approach has enabled me to visit seaweed farms, nurseries and research sites, fostering deep insights into the technologies, methodologies and practices crucial for successful seaweed cultivation,” McCoy said. “I am looking forward to joining farmers in out-planting and harvesting events this season to learn their best practices.”

As part of the fellowship, McCoy has participated in several workshops, including the Alaska Invasive Species Workshop and Kelp Business Planning Workshop. She also plans to attend Aquaculture America and the Mariculture Conference of Alaska this winter to further enrich her understanding of mariculture.

McCoy recently graduated from the University of Arizona with a master’s degree in environmental science, where she conducted aquaponics research. She is passionate about increasing food security through aquaculture and mariculture. Prior to graduate school, McCoy worked in food security programs as a Peace Corps volunteer in Benin and the Philippines, where she developed aquaculture initiatives with women’s groups and created manuals on drying and canning of vegetables. The Alaska Sea Grant State Fellowship Program is enabling McCoy to continue her work in mariculture, food security initiatives and community outreach.