Owner

Taylor is the owner of Topsail Aquarium. He has been in love with the ocean his whole life.

When he isn't surfing, he is swimming, snorkeling, SCUBA diving, eating ice cream, speaking some espanol, playing guitar or just running around on the beach like a big, crazy kid. To him, life revolves around the ocean and he wouldn't have it any other way. His spirit animal is an opossum, but he really loves sharks. All of them, but especially the wobbegong. 

Owner

Ling is our Topsail Aquarium "mom". She is the epitome of fun.

Sometimes we wonder where she gets her wild energy, it never runs out. She is a "whale" of knowledge and can answer any question that you have about the aquarium. If she's not in the lab teaching, dissecting or playing with Petunia you can catch her on the beach doing yoga, playing in the sand with Indy, Vai, and Tola or singing karaoke. (Not really the singing karaoke part, thank goodness.) If she were a sea animal, she would want to be a whale shark, or a seahorse, or an sea turtle, or a black tip reef shark… Or anything, really.

Front of House Director

Halle grew up in New York but moved to North Carolina to be closer to the ocean and pursue her passion for marine life. At the aquarium, she can often be found interacting with Ozzy or being "walked" by Petunia. Outside of her work, Halle enjoys shark tooth hunting, graphic design, and exploring the natural beauty of North Carolina. With a deep fascination for sharks, she is dedicated to caring for the marine creatures she admires and inspiring the next generation of ocean protectors.

Back of House Director

Ethan has been fascinated by marine life for as long as he can remember. Growing up in rural Maryland, he admired the ocean from afar before transferring to UNCW to finish his Marine Biology degree. Now, as the Director of Animal Husbandry at the Topsail Aquarium, he channels his passion through hands-on care for aquatic creatures and creative enclosure design. When he’s not at the aquarium, Ethan enjoys managing his twelve home aquariums, playing pickup basketball, and fishing in local streams. He is dedicated to inspiring future generations by showcasing animals in their natural habitats.

Aquarist

Haylei has called the Surf City/Topsail area home for her entire life and isn’t planning to leave. Her passion for the ocean truly ignited when she began working at EMA at 14. At the aquarium, she can often be found working with reptiles or handling Ms. Shell, always with a cheerful demeanor. In her free time, Haylei enjoys shark tooth hunting, exploring with her boyfriend Noah, and attending CFCC as she works toward her Associate’s degree in Veterinary Medical Technology. A devoted admirer of the Spotted Eagle Ray, she’s excited to share her enthusiasm for marine life with everyone she meets.

Aquarist

Sam Bell was born in Kansas City, Missouri, and grew up in Surf City, NC, after his family relocated to care for his grandfather in Jacksonville. His love for the ocean was nurtured by long days of fishing and beach outings with his family. With a dad he compares to Steve Irwin, Sam grew up learning about and appreciating animals. He’s particularly intrigued by corals, admiring their growth, diversity, and vibrant colors. Outside of work, Sam enjoys outdoor activities and playing soccer, which bring him peace. He looks forward to meeting new people and sharing his passion for marine life.

Aquarist