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
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
🧪🌊🪸🦞🦀🦑🐙
🧪🌊🪸🦞🦀🦑🐙
🚨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
🧪🌊🪸🦞🦀🦑🐙
🚨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
Folks, people who appreciated Siouxsie's work during the pandemic and/or who like free speech and academic freedom should help out here if they can. And that's all of us, one way or another, right?
www.pledgeme.co.nz/projects/852...
www.pledgeme.co.nz/projects/852...
Support Dr Siouxsie After She Supported Us! | PledgeMe
Support Dr Siouxsie to recover some of the money she spent fighting her legal case to protect employees experiencing online abuse
www.pledgeme.co.nz
November 1, 2025 at 4:05 AM
Folks, people who appreciated Siouxsie's work during the pandemic and/or who like free speech and academic freedom should help out here if they can. And that's all of us, one way or another, right?
www.pledgeme.co.nz/projects/852...
www.pledgeme.co.nz/projects/852...
👀
7 basic science discoveries that changed the world 🧪
Ozempic, MRI machines and flat screen televisions all emerged out of fundamental research decades earlier — the very types of study being slashed by the US government.
www.nature.com/articles/d41... @nature.com
Ozempic, MRI machines and flat screen televisions all emerged out of fundamental research decades earlier — the very types of study being slashed by the US government.
www.nature.com/articles/d41... @nature.com
7 basic science discoveries that changed the world
Ozempic, MRI machines and flat screen televisions all emerged out of fundamental research decades earlier — the very types of study being slashed by the US government.
www.nature.com
October 30, 2025 at 11:09 PM
👀
Reposted by Dr Rachel Hale Marine Biologist
Everyone, hail the Pumpkin King! 🎃
While we were scanning a larvacean with lasers to create a 3D model of the animal, we noticed a jack-o-lantern-like face appear for just a split second. We decided to nickname this the jack-o-larvacean as our underwater mascot for Halloween. 🌊🐙🧪🎮
While we were scanning a larvacean with lasers to create a 3D model of the animal, we noticed a jack-o-lantern-like face appear for just a split second. We decided to nickname this the jack-o-larvacean as our underwater mascot for Halloween. 🌊🐙🧪🎮
October 29, 2025 at 7:41 PM
Everyone, hail the Pumpkin King! 🎃
While we were scanning a larvacean with lasers to create a 3D model of the animal, we noticed a jack-o-lantern-like face appear for just a split second. We decided to nickname this the jack-o-larvacean as our underwater mascot for Halloween. 🌊🐙🧪🎮
While we were scanning a larvacean with lasers to create a 3D model of the animal, we noticed a jack-o-lantern-like face appear for just a split second. We decided to nickname this the jack-o-larvacean as our underwater mascot for Halloween. 🌊🐙🧪🎮
Bit late for #SundayFishSketch (and not a sketch, and not finished), but it is (or will be, eventually) an Opah! But boy is it taking forever.
October 27, 2025 at 7:57 AM
Bit late for #SundayFishSketch (and not a sketch, and not finished), but it is (or will be, eventually) an Opah! But boy is it taking forever.
Reposted by Dr Rachel Hale Marine Biologist
#nzpol
For context: Total cost of all reparations paid to Māori for land confiscations to date = $2.7 billion
Total cost of the economic lunacy of this government reinstating mortgage interest deductions to landlords = $2.9 billion (over 4 yrs), plus $760 million every single year thereafter
For context: Total cost of all reparations paid to Māori for land confiscations to date = $2.7 billion
Total cost of the economic lunacy of this government reinstating mortgage interest deductions to landlords = $2.9 billion (over 4 yrs), plus $760 million every single year thereafter
October 27, 2025 at 1:41 AM
#nzpol
For context: Total cost of all reparations paid to Māori for land confiscations to date = $2.7 billion
Total cost of the economic lunacy of this government reinstating mortgage interest deductions to landlords = $2.9 billion (over 4 yrs), plus $760 million every single year thereafter
For context: Total cost of all reparations paid to Māori for land confiscations to date = $2.7 billion
Total cost of the economic lunacy of this government reinstating mortgage interest deductions to landlords = $2.9 billion (over 4 yrs), plus $760 million every single year thereafter
Reposted by Dr Rachel Hale Marine Biologist
It is also funded for those who do not have two documented measles vaccines - you don't have to be eligible for free healthcare (scroll down to funded vaccines: www.tewhatuora.govt.nz/for-health-p...)
12. Measles - Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora
Building the future of health
www.tewhatuora.govt.nz
October 27, 2025 at 2:25 AM
It is also funded for those who do not have two documented measles vaccines - you don't have to be eligible for free healthcare (scroll down to funded vaccines: www.tewhatuora.govt.nz/for-health-p...)
Reposted by Dr Rachel Hale Marine Biologist
Aotearoa , new Zealand - MMR vaccine is free for anyone aged under 18, and for people over 18 eligible for free healthcare. please visit your local chemist that offers vaccinations & see if you had 2 doses. If not please get vaccinated. Protect yourself and people who can’t get vaccinated #nz
October 26, 2025 at 9:50 PM
Aotearoa , new Zealand - MMR vaccine is free for anyone aged under 18, and for people over 18 eligible for free healthcare. please visit your local chemist that offers vaccinations & see if you had 2 doses. If not please get vaccinated. Protect yourself and people who can’t get vaccinated #nz
🙏 wouldn't it be so nice if we could turn it all around
It is important to remember that GOOD things can happen quickly too ❤️
"After only one year, the transformation is dramatic", says a conservation manager about the growth of a colony of 2,000 sooty tern seabirds. Previously, invasive rats had destroyed their eggs, making it impossible for the native birds to persist on the islands. www.thecooldown.com/outdoors/inv...
October 27, 2025 at 4:44 AM
🙏 wouldn't it be so nice if we could turn it all around
CHONKY
This is the ideal male body. You may not like it, but this is what peak performance looks like
October 21, 2025 at 5:29 PM
CHONKY