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
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
Reposted by Dr Rachel Hale Marine Biologist
My son was 1 when leaders pledged to keep warming below 1.5C.
By his 11th birthday even 2C is dead.
I’m lost for words at the scale of this betrayal.
By his 11th birthday even 2C is dead.
I’m lost for words at the scale of this betrayal.
Government told to prepare for 2C warming by 2050
The Climate Change Committee said the UK should make climate change adaptions beyond the Paris Agreement.
www.bbc.com
October 15, 2025 at 7:27 AM
My son was 1 when leaders pledged to keep warming below 1.5C.
By his 11th birthday even 2C is dead.
I’m lost for words at the scale of this betrayal.
By his 11th birthday even 2C is dead.
I’m lost for words at the scale of this betrayal.
Why can't we do better than this?
What will be left for our kids?
I don't want this to be my legacy. If there are still people even around to remember us at all.
"Carbon dioxide (CO2) levels in the atmosphere soared by a record amount to new highs in 2024"
wmo.int/news/media-c...
What will be left for our kids?
I don't want this to be my legacy. If there are still people even around to remember us at all.
"Carbon dioxide (CO2) levels in the atmosphere soared by a record amount to new highs in 2024"
wmo.int/news/media-c...
Carbon dioxide levels increase by record amount to new highs in 2024
wmo.int
October 16, 2025 at 6:02 AM
Why can't we do better than this?
What will be left for our kids?
I don't want this to be my legacy. If there are still people even around to remember us at all.
"Carbon dioxide (CO2) levels in the atmosphere soared by a record amount to new highs in 2024"
wmo.int/news/media-c...
What will be left for our kids?
I don't want this to be my legacy. If there are still people even around to remember us at all.
"Carbon dioxide (CO2) levels in the atmosphere soared by a record amount to new highs in 2024"
wmo.int/news/media-c...
Reposted by Dr Rachel Hale Marine Biologist
Not all skeletons are made of minerals or chitin
#skeletober #inktober #skeleton #hydroskeleton #invertebrates #education #art #SciArt
#skeletober #inktober #skeleton #hydroskeleton #invertebrates #education #art #SciArt
October 10, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Not all skeletons are made of minerals or chitin
#skeletober #inktober #skeleton #hydroskeleton #invertebrates #education #art #SciArt
#skeletober #inktober #skeleton #hydroskeleton #invertebrates #education #art #SciArt
Reposted by Dr Rachel Hale Marine Biologist
#OAWeek will kick off on Monday, 13 Oct. at 7:00 UTC with a session led by the International CO2 Natural Analogues Network: “ICONA Research: From Understanding and Predicting to Action”. 🌊🐚🌍 Register for this free, virtual session today! tinyurl.com/ICONAOA25
October 6, 2025 at 4:40 PM
#OAWeek will kick off on Monday, 13 Oct. at 7:00 UTC with a session led by the International CO2 Natural Analogues Network: “ICONA Research: From Understanding and Predicting to Action”. 🌊🐚🌍 Register for this free, virtual session today! tinyurl.com/ICONAOA25
Reposted by Dr Rachel Hale Marine Biologist
🌊 GOA-ON is excited to invite you to OA Week 2025 — a virtual forum showcasing OA knowledge from around the world!
📅 13-17 October, 2025
🌏 Learn from over 50 international ocean acidification experts across 22 sessions!
🔗 View the schedule and register for sessions here: tinyurl.com/OAW2025
📅 13-17 October, 2025
🌏 Learn from over 50 international ocean acidification experts across 22 sessions!
🔗 View the schedule and register for sessions here: tinyurl.com/OAW2025
October 1, 2025 at 1:14 PM
🌊 GOA-ON is excited to invite you to OA Week 2025 — a virtual forum showcasing OA knowledge from around the world!
📅 13-17 October, 2025
🌏 Learn from over 50 international ocean acidification experts across 22 sessions!
🔗 View the schedule and register for sessions here: tinyurl.com/OAW2025
📅 13-17 October, 2025
🌏 Learn from over 50 international ocean acidification experts across 22 sessions!
🔗 View the schedule and register for sessions here: tinyurl.com/OAW2025
Reposted by Dr Rachel Hale Marine Biologist
📢Ocean Acidification Week will highlight OA knowledge from around the world, ranging from co-development of research and OA Education to Technology Development in OA Research and mCDR 🌊🌏📝📚📡🫧
Find details on these and other sessions on our website: tinyurl.com/OAW2025
Find details on these and other sessions on our website: tinyurl.com/OAW2025
October 2, 2025 at 5:01 PM
📢Ocean Acidification Week will highlight OA knowledge from around the world, ranging from co-development of research and OA Education to Technology Development in OA Research and mCDR 🌊🌏📝📚📡🫧
Find details on these and other sessions on our website: tinyurl.com/OAW2025
Find details on these and other sessions on our website: tinyurl.com/OAW2025
An abundance of eels at the bottom of my road!
October 6, 2025 at 10:36 PM
An abundance of eels at the bottom of my road!
I love how marine mammal sightings are always slightly disappointing but if you see a nudibranch it's genuinely the shit 🥹
Inverts will never be beat for sheer beauty.
Inverts will never be beat for sheer beauty.
September 29, 2025 at 10:09 AM
I love how marine mammal sightings are always slightly disappointing but if you see a nudibranch it's genuinely the shit 🥹
Inverts will never be beat for sheer beauty.
Inverts will never be beat for sheer beauty.
Reposted by Dr Rachel Hale Marine Biologist
Being anti vaccines for babies is one of the surest signs of a declining civilisation. There could be no clearer evidence on childhood vaccination saving lives and preserving health and yet we’re being distracted by debating this issue.
September 23, 2025 at 7:01 AM
Being anti vaccines for babies is one of the surest signs of a declining civilisation. There could be no clearer evidence on childhood vaccination saving lives and preserving health and yet we’re being distracted by debating this issue.
Reposted by Dr Rachel Hale Marine Biologist
I strongly second this! 👏🏾
When talking about science communication, I also always stress that *all* forms and forums of communication matter 🔄
Whether it’s a big, factually correct but details-lite TV show or movie…or just chatting to granny or your mates in a pub 🗣️
When talking about science communication, I also always stress that *all* forms and forums of communication matter 🔄
Whether it’s a big, factually correct but details-lite TV show or movie…or just chatting to granny or your mates in a pub 🗣️
Fantastic piece in Nature Reviews Neuro by @nicolecrust.bsky.social on the importance of science communication. My take? Everything matters - just do something. It will make a difference for how science is valued and trusted, how community understands. Let's get out there and communicate! 👏
The unexpected value of communicating science to the public
Nature Reviews Neuroscience - As a group, our scientific community has a responsibility to unpack the ‘what’ and ‘why’ behind our work for the public, not least because much...
rdcu.be
September 21, 2025 at 6:08 AM
I strongly second this! 👏🏾
When talking about science communication, I also always stress that *all* forms and forums of communication matter 🔄
Whether it’s a big, factually correct but details-lite TV show or movie…or just chatting to granny or your mates in a pub 🗣️
When talking about science communication, I also always stress that *all* forms and forums of communication matter 🔄
Whether it’s a big, factually correct but details-lite TV show or movie…or just chatting to granny or your mates in a pub 🗣️
Reposted by Dr Rachel Hale Marine Biologist
Although minute in size, they represent remarkable taxonomic and ecological diversity.
Some species are widespread, while others may be highly localized or even undescribed.
For malacologists, such micro-snails offer valuable insight into biodiversity, biogeography, and conservation.
Some species are widespread, while others may be highly localized or even undescribed.
For malacologists, such micro-snails offer valuable insight into biodiversity, biogeography, and conservation.
September 21, 2025 at 1:58 AM
Although minute in size, they represent remarkable taxonomic and ecological diversity.
Some species are widespread, while others may be highly localized or even undescribed.
For malacologists, such micro-snails offer valuable insight into biodiversity, biogeography, and conservation.
Some species are widespread, while others may be highly localized or even undescribed.
For malacologists, such micro-snails offer valuable insight into biodiversity, biogeography, and conservation.
Reposted by Dr Rachel Hale Marine Biologist
From a handful of forest leaf litter, a hidden world emerges.
These tiny land snails — each only a few millimeters across — were sorted from decomposed leaves and soil under the microscope.
#陸産貝類 #軟体動物 #貝類 #巻貝 #カタツムリ #無脊椎動物 #photography #mollusk #landsnail #invertebrate #マイマイ #Diplommatina
These tiny land snails — each only a few millimeters across — were sorted from decomposed leaves and soil under the microscope.
#陸産貝類 #軟体動物 #貝類 #巻貝 #カタツムリ #無脊椎動物 #photography #mollusk #landsnail #invertebrate #マイマイ #Diplommatina
September 21, 2025 at 1:56 AM
From a handful of forest leaf litter, a hidden world emerges.
These tiny land snails — each only a few millimeters across — were sorted from decomposed leaves and soil under the microscope.
#陸産貝類 #軟体動物 #貝類 #巻貝 #カタツムリ #無脊椎動物 #photography #mollusk #landsnail #invertebrate #マイマイ #Diplommatina
These tiny land snails — each only a few millimeters across — were sorted from decomposed leaves and soil under the microscope.
#陸産貝類 #軟体動物 #貝類 #巻貝 #カタツムリ #無脊椎動物 #photography #mollusk #landsnail #invertebrate #マイマイ #Diplommatina
Reposted by Dr Rachel Hale Marine Biologist
Day 19 - Depths. blood belly comb jelly (Ctenophora), helmet jellyfish (Cnidaria). Animals in the deep sea are some of the most beautiful, particularly the jellies with bodies like abstract portraits that move ethereally in the abyss. Here are two drawings of jellies you can find in the deep sea.
September 19, 2025 at 8:57 PM
Day 19 - Depths. blood belly comb jelly (Ctenophora), helmet jellyfish (Cnidaria). Animals in the deep sea are some of the most beautiful, particularly the jellies with bodies like abstract portraits that move ethereally in the abyss. Here are two drawings of jellies you can find in the deep sea.
#WormWednesday
ANNiKEY Linear – diagnoses, descriptions, and a single-access identification key to Annelida family-level taxa in @zookeys.pensoft.net by Glasby et al.
A great resource!
zookeys.pensoft.net/article/1376...
ANNiKEY Linear – diagnoses, descriptions, and a single-access identification key to Annelida family-level taxa in @zookeys.pensoft.net by Glasby et al.
A great resource!
zookeys.pensoft.net/article/1376...
ANNiKEY Linear – diagnoses, descriptions, and a single-access identification key to Annelida family-level taxa
Phylum Annelida are ubiquitous metazoans found in almost every terrestrial and aquatic habitat on Earth. Historically, taxonomic studies on the phylum have been focused largely on its majorgroups, pol...
zookeys.pensoft.net
September 17, 2025 at 6:37 PM
#WormWednesday
ANNiKEY Linear – diagnoses, descriptions, and a single-access identification key to Annelida family-level taxa in @zookeys.pensoft.net by Glasby et al.
A great resource!
zookeys.pensoft.net/article/1376...
ANNiKEY Linear – diagnoses, descriptions, and a single-access identification key to Annelida family-level taxa in @zookeys.pensoft.net by Glasby et al.
A great resource!
zookeys.pensoft.net/article/1376...
Yeesh
Some numbers:
46% of New Zealanders think that gender equality has been achieved
33% of male respondents aged 18-34 believe that gender equality has gone too far
47% of men believe Gender Equality has been achieved for senior management
40% don’t believe that sexism is still a significant issue
46% of New Zealanders think that gender equality has been achieved
33% of male respondents aged 18-34 believe that gender equality has gone too far
47% of men believe Gender Equality has been achieved for senior management
40% don’t believe that sexism is still a significant issue
September 17, 2025 at 8:42 AM
Yeesh