Ben Parker
banner
aquaben.bsky.social
Ben Parker
@aquaben.bsky.social
FFN+ PDRF at the University of Exeter.

Aquatic stressor biologist researching microplastics | microfibres | invasives | pollutants | fishes

Exeter Marine | Global Systems Institute | BU Visiting Fellow | FSBI council member | BRC Freshwater Fish Verifier
Pinned
📢 Now accepted online:
doi.org/10.1093/etoj...

Non-petroleum microfibre exposures are understudied, but the harmful effects of all microfibres suggest reducing their shedding and environmental entry are key priorities
🧵👚💧🦀🐟🦐🪱

@ffnplus.bsky.social @cezzalew.bsky.social @exetermarine.bsky.social
Impacts of non-petroleum and petroleum-based microfibres on aquatic organisms: a meta-analysis
Abstract. Contamination of aquatic ecosystems with microfibres (fibres < 5 mm in size) shed from textiles and other consumer items is a global conservat
doi.org
Reposted by Ben Parker
We are finding a large amount of plastic debris in the nests of various urban bird species. In fact, we found 94 items in a single nest, a new personal (and sad) record. I hope we can publish the results of this project next year.
November 14, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Reposted by Ben Parker
Fully funded PhD working on insectivorous bird declines with a broad range of stakeholders. Starting ASAP #ornithology #zoology #biodiversity #science #ecology
www.exeter.ac.uk/study/fundin...
September 18, 2025 at 12:29 PM
Reposted by Ben Parker
The day has come 💫 I will soon open up a 4-year PhD position @biodiversosurjc.bsky.social .

We'll be studying how global change impacts high-mountain lake food webs ⛰️. Details to follow. DM me if you're interested, and please share!

#PhDPosition #Ecology #ClimateChange #Limnology
August 27, 2025 at 10:45 AM
Reposted by Ben Parker
‘Death spiral’: Mekong River megafish have shrunk by half, study reveals 👇

www.theguardian.com/environment/...
‘Death spiral’: Mekong River megafish have shrunk by half, study reveals
Fish once as large as grizzly bears have become far smaller in recent years due to overfishing, dams and climate crisis
www.theguardian.com
August 14, 2025 at 8:45 AM
Reposted by Ben Parker
There are 5 key drivers of biodiversity loss

Climate change; Land/Sea use change; Invasives; Over-exploitation; Pollution

Importantly, they interact synergistically to exacerbate nature degradation

So don’t dismiss any individual driver as being of lesser importance
doi.org/10.1002/fee....
July 23, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Reposted by Ben Parker
And that’s a wrap! Leaving Belfast after a fin-tastic week at the #FSBI2025 symposium with not one but two awards 😯 - the Green Travel and Best Poster Award! ✨ Wonderful meeting so many new fellow fish nerds 🐠🤓 and to hear about all the amazing research going on in this field 🦈
@thefsbi.bsky.social
July 12, 2025 at 7:11 AM
Reposted by Ben Parker
Next year's @thefsbi.bsky.social conference will be at the @unisouthampton.bsky.social

See you there!
July 11, 2025 at 11:22 AM
It's been a fantastic week of excellent talks, posters and conversations here at @thefsbi.bsky.social's #FSBI2025.

Massive thanks to the organisers, hosts, sponsors and attendees.

Looking forward to seeing you next July in my home city of Southampton-tell all your #teamfish colleagues!
a bunch of goldfish are swimming in a circle on a black background
ALT: a bunch of goldfish are swimming in a circle on a black background
media.tenor.com
July 11, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Did you know @thefsbi.bsky.social fund up to 2 PhD studentships each year?

These include:
🐟 4 years of PhD funding.
🦈 A stipend higher than UKRI (on average).
🐠 Annual research budget of £3500.
🎣 +other benefits.

See fsbi.org.uk/phd-students... for full details or grab Melanie or me at #FSBI2025
July 9, 2025 at 6:30 AM
Reposted by Ben Parker
And we're off! #FSBI2025 is in full swing with workshops from Michael Kaiser on publishing with #JFB, as well as Kristy Bradley talking us through the key steps in producing a memorable graphical abstract!
July 7, 2025 at 2:05 PM
🔊Now available online:

Case study on how the @ffnplus.bsky.social are embedding environmental science into the heart of the UK fashion, apparel and textile sector.

Rethinking fibres: Integrating environmental sciences with textile innovation | Intellect - intellectdiscover.com/content/jour...
Rethinking fibres: Integrating environmental sciences with textile innovation | Intellect
The environmental impact of textile fibres, particularly their contribution to pollution, has become a pressing concern. While synthetic fibres such as polyester shed microplastic fibres during washin...
intellectdiscover.com
June 23, 2025 at 11:54 AM
Reposted by Ben Parker
Fish and Fisheries is seeking a new Editor-in-Chief. Please apply to guide the future of this leading journal. onlinelibrary.wiley.com/page/journal...
Fish and Fisheries
Fish and Fisheries is an interdisciplinary journal covering fish biology, fisheries and aquaculture – from molecular biology & genetics to behavior & conservation.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
June 16, 2025 at 4:26 AM
Reposted by Ben Parker
Interested in Global ecology? Please have a look at the starter pack (go.bsky.app/F86HYqj) and DM @global-ecology.bsky.social to join the Vol_3.
June 12, 2025 at 9:04 AM
Reposted by Ben Parker
🔉🐸🐟🦐🪲
Got freshwater sounds? Consider contributing to the Freshwater Sounds Archive! We're accepting submissions until the end of this year, and all contributors can co-author the resulting data paper. Learn more at fishsounds.net/freshwater.js and www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...!
Contribute to the first global archive of soniferous freshwater life, The Freshwater Sounds Archive, and receive recognition as a co-author in a resulting data paper!

Pre-print now available. New deadline: 31st Dec, 2025.

See link 👇4 more fishsounds.net/freshwater.js
June 9, 2025 at 10:49 PM
Reposted by Ben Parker
If you think climate change has gotten worse during your lifetime, you're right and there's a good reason.

If you're Gen X like me, more than 3/4 of fossil fuel CO₂ emissions have occurred in your lifetime. Even if you're a Millennial, it's at least half.

📊: @neilrkaye.bsky.social
June 10, 2025 at 10:22 AM
Reposted by Ben Parker
The 2025 Marie Curie Fellowships are now open! If you are interested in #PlasticPollution, #ornithology / #birds, #conservation & our work at @adriftlab.bsky.social and want to discuss an application, get in touch! #PhDjobs

marie-sklodowska-curie-actions.ec.europa.eu/calls/msca-p...
May 20, 2025 at 8:44 AM
Reposted by Ben Parker
🚨 New paper alert! Nice summary of the current global data on plastic pollution in Mangroves from Katie Deakin! Well done Katie! @exetermarine.bsky.social @gsiexeter.bsky.social www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Plastic pollution in mangrove ecosystems: A global meta-analysis
Mangrove ecosystems play a crucial role in blue carbon sequestration, coastal flood protection, and biodiversity conservation, while also serving as n…
www.sciencedirect.com
May 19, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Reposted by Ben Parker
What I wish I knew: 33 thoughts for early career researchers
Reflections I wish someone had shared with me early in my research career.

predirections.substack.com/p/what-i-wis...
What I wish I knew: 33 thoughts for early career researchers
Thirty three reflections I wish someone had shared with me early in my research career.
predirections.substack.com
April 29, 2025 at 3:08 AM
Reposted by Ben Parker
PHD OPPORTUNITY aiming to examine/investigate key sources of pollution, the resulting ecological impacts, and beyond.

📅 Deadline 11th June

Part of The de Freitas Studentship, to improve access and participation in PhD study for Black British students. 🏆

www.exeter.ac.uk/study/fundin...

🌐🦤🌊🧪🦑
May 13, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Reposted by Ben Parker
Some of our group’s work on how pharmaceuticals can affect animal movement and behaviour presented at @setac.bsky.social in Vienna today! Come down for a chat to find out more about this research in the poster session this afternoon!

@michaelgbertram.bsky.social
May 13, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Reposted by Ben Parker
I'll be talking about our Galapagos work on the impacts of plastic pollution in mangroves and on bioturbation at #SETACVienna on Thursday in Hall G 12:10.
May 13, 2025 at 8:18 AM
Talking to Ege Üniversitesi (Türkiye) again today about a future @thefsbi.bsky.social funded grant working on #freshwater #pharmaceuticals and #invasive #fishes.
💊💧🐟🐠

Thank you for having me back.
May 13, 2025 at 8:07 AM