Dr Rachel Hale Marine Biologist
@seafloorscience.bsky.social
Dr of small crawly things that live on the ocean floor.
I study what they do, how they do it, and how they respond to disturbance, including climate change.
Marine Biologist, Ocean Optimist, Invert Advocate, "Worm Girl"
Opinions mine. She/her
I study what they do, how they do it, and how they respond to disturbance, including climate change.
Marine Biologist, Ocean Optimist, Invert Advocate, "Worm Girl"
Opinions mine. She/her
Pinned
Is it time for a bsky introduction?
Hello I’m Rachel Hale, a Marine Biologist based in Aotearoa NZ. I study benthic ecosystems. I am interested in small animals that live on the seafloor, what they do, & how the diversity & behaviour of these ecosystems is affected by stresses like climate change
Hello I’m Rachel Hale, a Marine Biologist based in Aotearoa NZ. I study benthic ecosystems. I am interested in small animals that live on the seafloor, what they do, & how the diversity & behaviour of these ecosystems is affected by stresses like climate change
Reposted by Dr Rachel Hale Marine Biologist
February 13, 2026 at 9:50 PM
Just a random coastal sea arch in NZ
February 13, 2026 at 6:12 AM
Just a random coastal sea arch in NZ
Reposted by Dr Rachel Hale Marine Biologist
No joke: I got angry hate mail today for writing an obituary of a Black woman scientist—because the person felt she did didn’t deserve the recognition.
Which just makes me want to share it again: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Which just makes me want to share it again: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Gladys Mae West obituary: mathematician who pioneered GPS technology
She made key contributions to US cold-war science despite facing huge barriers as a Black woman.
www.nature.com
February 6, 2026 at 9:09 AM
No joke: I got angry hate mail today for writing an obituary of a Black woman scientist—because the person felt she did didn’t deserve the recognition.
Which just makes me want to share it again: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Which just makes me want to share it again: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Reposted by Dr Rachel Hale Marine Biologist
NZ has fallen into a 'crisis and response' pattern on climate disaster, experts say. Billions have been spent on storm recovery since 2023, while key climate adaptation funding and planning tools have been cut.
My story looking at last week’s storms
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
My story looking at last week’s storms
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
January 29, 2026 at 6:10 PM
NZ has fallen into a 'crisis and response' pattern on climate disaster, experts say. Billions have been spent on storm recovery since 2023, while key climate adaptation funding and planning tools have been cut.
My story looking at last week’s storms
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
My story looking at last week’s storms
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
Reposted by Dr Rachel Hale Marine Biologist
Had to draw a very specific worm from the Composetia genus. www.inaturalist.org/observations...
#SciArt #Art
#SciArt #Art
January 12, 2026 at 1:59 AM
Had to draw a very specific worm from the Composetia genus. www.inaturalist.org/observations...
#SciArt #Art
#SciArt #Art
Reposted by Dr Rachel Hale Marine Biologist
The Call for evidence to shape the European Ocean Act is now open!
The aim is effective use of maritime space & ocean resources, structure ocean observation, and simplified reporting.
Deadline: 9/2/2026: link.europa.eu/fbRF83
The aim is effective use of maritime space & ocean resources, structure ocean observation, and simplified reporting.
Deadline: 9/2/2026: link.europa.eu/fbRF83
January 13, 2026 at 9:00 AM
The Call for evidence to shape the European Ocean Act is now open!
The aim is effective use of maritime space & ocean resources, structure ocean observation, and simplified reporting.
Deadline: 9/2/2026: link.europa.eu/fbRF83
The aim is effective use of maritime space & ocean resources, structure ocean observation, and simplified reporting.
Deadline: 9/2/2026: link.europa.eu/fbRF83
Actually spending the morning processing and analysing MY OWN DATA! Woohoo progress.
a black and white drawing of a stick figure with the words `` c mon , do something ... '' .
Alt: a black and white drawing of a stick figure with the words `` c mon , do something ... '' .
media.tenor.com
January 8, 2026 at 11:40 PM
Actually spending the morning processing and analysing MY OWN DATA! Woohoo progress.
He's called Duckthulu by the way
Their blood uses copper-based hemocyanin (not iron-based like us), making it blue and more efficient in cold, low-oxygen water.
January 6, 2026 at 9:34 AM
He's called Duckthulu by the way
Did you know octopuses have three hearts, nine brains, and blue blood.
Two hearts pump blood to the gills; one pumps to the rest of the body.
The one systemic heart actually stops when they swim, meaning they prefer crawling.
🌊🐙🦑🧪
Two hearts pump blood to the gills; one pumps to the rest of the body.
The one systemic heart actually stops when they swim, meaning they prefer crawling.
🌊🐙🦑🧪
January 6, 2026 at 7:30 AM
Did you know octopuses have three hearts, nine brains, and blue blood.
Two hearts pump blood to the gills; one pumps to the rest of the body.
The one systemic heart actually stops when they swim, meaning they prefer crawling.
🌊🐙🦑🧪
Two hearts pump blood to the gills; one pumps to the rest of the body.
The one systemic heart actually stops when they swim, meaning they prefer crawling.
🌊🐙🦑🧪
Being given manuscripts to review without the proper line numbers is my absolute pet-hate. Also use page numbers.
January 6, 2026 at 7:16 AM
Being given manuscripts to review without the proper line numbers is my absolute pet-hate. Also use page numbers.
Reposted by Dr Rachel Hale Marine Biologist
The wind is coming from the wrong direction today
December 29, 2025 at 10:26 PM
The wind is coming from the wrong direction today
Can't really see it too well in the vid but we just saw a baby tornado/water spout off the boulder bank (we think). Was more spouty while I was fumbling for the camera. Scary!
December 29, 2025 at 9:06 PM
Can't really see it too well in the vid but we just saw a baby tornado/water spout off the boulder bank (we think). Was more spouty while I was fumbling for the camera. Scary!
Oh my gosh what a loss. I had the privilege to meet Emma at a conference back in 2018 and she was a very inspiring and strong role model for me.
My condolences to her family and friends.
My condolences to her family and friends.
Devastating news that marine biologist, science communicator, and UniMelb VC Professor Emma Johnston has died after a short illness.
She really was an extraordinary and visionary leader, and I have no doubt she would have made a fine Chief Scientist one day.
theconversation.com/emma-johnsto...
She really was an extraordinary and visionary leader, and I have no doubt she would have made a fine Chief Scientist one day.
theconversation.com/emma-johnsto...
Emma Johnston was a visionary scientist, environmentalist and leader, with an abiding hope for humanity
The University of Melbourne Vice-Chancellor, who has died aged 52, was driven by a deep love of science and a desire to safeguard the planet’s future.
theconversation.com
December 29, 2025 at 2:59 AM
Oh my gosh what a loss. I had the privilege to meet Emma at a conference back in 2018 and she was a very inspiring and strong role model for me.
My condolences to her family and friends.
My condolences to her family and friends.
Reposted by Dr Rachel Hale Marine Biologist
We are calling for your nominations for the WoRMS Top Ten Marine Species of 2025!
Details: marinespecies.org/news.php?p=s...
Nomination form: form.vliz.be/en/form/worm...
Deadline: Sunday January 25th 2026
@oceancensus.bsky.social @unoceandecade.bsky.social @vliz.be @lifewatcheric.bsky.social
Details: marinespecies.org/news.php?p=s...
Nomination form: form.vliz.be/en/form/worm...
Deadline: Sunday January 25th 2026
@oceancensus.bsky.social @unoceandecade.bsky.social @vliz.be @lifewatcheric.bsky.social
December 11, 2025 at 8:51 AM
We are calling for your nominations for the WoRMS Top Ten Marine Species of 2025!
Details: marinespecies.org/news.php?p=s...
Nomination form: form.vliz.be/en/form/worm...
Deadline: Sunday January 25th 2026
@oceancensus.bsky.social @unoceandecade.bsky.social @vliz.be @lifewatcheric.bsky.social
Details: marinespecies.org/news.php?p=s...
Nomination form: form.vliz.be/en/form/worm...
Deadline: Sunday January 25th 2026
@oceancensus.bsky.social @unoceandecade.bsky.social @vliz.be @lifewatcheric.bsky.social
Probs not quite going to finish in time for Christmas gifting but just the rug backing and ribbon edging (to hide the cut) to do now.
Definitely the longest I've ever spent hand making a gift (nearly a year of intermittent evening stitching).
Definitely the longest I've ever spent hand making a gift (nearly a year of intermittent evening stitching).
December 23, 2025 at 3:32 AM
Probs not quite going to finish in time for Christmas gifting but just the rug backing and ribbon edging (to hide the cut) to do now.
Definitely the longest I've ever spent hand making a gift (nearly a year of intermittent evening stitching).
Definitely the longest I've ever spent hand making a gift (nearly a year of intermittent evening stitching).
Reposted by Dr Rachel Hale Marine Biologist
Since the deep-sea accounts for over half the surface of the planet and more than 90% of this world's biosphere, in a very really and quantified way, the unknowable wonders of the deep are the normal ones and us terrestrial outliers are the weird ones.
November 25, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Since the deep-sea accounts for over half the surface of the planet and more than 90% of this world's biosphere, in a very really and quantified way, the unknowable wonders of the deep are the normal ones and us terrestrial outliers are the weird ones.
Reposted by Dr Rachel Hale Marine Biologist
Why have we seen such repression of climate activists around the world?
Because activists were so successful in changing the narrative around fossil fuels
Because activists were so successful in changing the narrative around fossil fuels
We (@crossdale.bsky.social, Christina Pantazis, @roxana-pessoa.bsky.social, Tiê Franco Brotto and I) present the first academic peer-reviewed article, studying the criminalisation and repression of climate and environmental protest as a global phenomenon. www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
December 14, 2025 at 9:38 AM
Why have we seen such repression of climate activists around the world?
Because activists were so successful in changing the narrative around fossil fuels
Because activists were so successful in changing the narrative around fossil fuels
Reposted by Dr Rachel Hale Marine Biologist
Lovely intertidal, northern Tasmanian serpulid worms encrusting a boulder (~60 cm wide). Each marine worm secretes its own tube out of calcium carbonate - tubes 2-3 mm diam. These critters can build extensive communities on rocky shores. ⚒️🧪🌊
December 13, 2025 at 9:02 PM
Lovely intertidal, northern Tasmanian serpulid worms encrusting a boulder (~60 cm wide). Each marine worm secretes its own tube out of calcium carbonate - tubes 2-3 mm diam. These critters can build extensive communities on rocky shores. ⚒️🧪🌊
Reposted by Dr Rachel Hale Marine Biologist
🚨Save the date!
The Sixth International Ocean in a High CO2 World Symposium will be held in Te Whanganui-A-Tara Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand from 13-16 October 2026.
Learn more and submit your proposals for sessions and side-activities here: www.highco2-vi.org
The Sixth International Ocean in a High CO2 World Symposium will be held in Te Whanganui-A-Tara Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand from 13-16 October 2026.
Learn more and submit your proposals for sessions and side-activities here: www.highco2-vi.org
December 4, 2025 at 12:28 AM
🚨Save the date!
The Sixth International Ocean in a High CO2 World Symposium will be held in Te Whanganui-A-Tara Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand from 13-16 October 2026.
Learn more and submit your proposals for sessions and side-activities here: www.highco2-vi.org
The Sixth International Ocean in a High CO2 World Symposium will be held in Te Whanganui-A-Tara Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand from 13-16 October 2026.
Learn more and submit your proposals for sessions and side-activities here: www.highco2-vi.org
Reposted by Dr Rachel Hale Marine Biologist
I love finding a good wandering meatloaf
🌊🌿🐙🦑
🌊🌿🐙🦑
December 6, 2025 at 3:53 AM
I love finding a good wandering meatloaf
🌊🌿🐙🦑
🌊🌿🐙🦑
Reposted by Dr Rachel Hale Marine Biologist
10/10 would recommend bringing a dark UV light nighttime tidepooling
🌿🐙🦑🦀
🌿🐙🦑🦀
December 6, 2025 at 3:48 AM
10/10 would recommend bringing a dark UV light nighttime tidepooling
🌿🐙🦑🦀
🌿🐙🦑🦀
Reposted by Dr Rachel Hale Marine Biologist
🧪🌊🪸🦞🦀🦑🐙
🚨Save the date!
The Sixth International Ocean in a High CO2 World Symposium will be held in Te Whanganui-A-Tara Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand from 13-16 October 2026.
Learn more and submit your proposals for sessions and side-activities here: www.highco2-vi.org
The Sixth International Ocean in a High CO2 World Symposium will be held in Te Whanganui-A-Tara Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand from 13-16 October 2026.
Learn more and submit your proposals for sessions and side-activities here: www.highco2-vi.org
December 4, 2025 at 12:29 AM
🧪🌊🪸🦞🦀🦑🐙