Emily Lester
@emilylester.bsky.social
Ocean enthusiast & marine ecologist interested in predator-prey interactions, coral reef function, & the impacts of humans on marine ecosystems.
Postdoc at the University of Sydney, Thriving Oceans Research Hub
Postdoc at the University of Sydney, Thriving Oceans Research Hub
Pinned
Emily Lester
@emilylester.bsky.social
· Nov 20
Hello BlueSky. I'm Emily- a marine ecologist with an interest in predator-prey interactions, ecosystem function, and I really like sharks. Generally, I try to spend as much time as possible underwater. I recently moved to Sydney and am enjoying the diving scene (see video). Excited to chat!
Reposted by Emily Lester
We're #hiring a new #PhD student - come join @lec-reefs.bsky.social to investigate coral reefs, MPAs, and climate impacts. 🌊 🧪🦑
Details + apply here - www.exageo.org/phd-student-...
Deadline Jan 9th! International applicants encouraged 👍
Details + apply here - www.exageo.org/phd-student-...
Deadline Jan 9th! International applicants encouraged 👍
November 10, 2025 at 4:35 PM
We're #hiring a new #PhD student - come join @lec-reefs.bsky.social to investigate coral reefs, MPAs, and climate impacts. 🌊 🧪🦑
Details + apply here - www.exageo.org/phd-student-...
Deadline Jan 9th! International applicants encouraged 👍
Details + apply here - www.exageo.org/phd-student-...
Deadline Jan 9th! International applicants encouraged 👍
Reposted by Emily Lester
Our #FishOfTheWeek this week is… the Eastern Blue Groper (Achoerodus viridis) 🐟
👇More #fishfacts and the latest #research featuring ASFB members:
doi.org/10.1071/MF24...
🌐 Info via Fishes of Australia: fishesofaustralia.net.au
#Australia #fish #biology
👇More #fishfacts and the latest #research featuring ASFB members:
doi.org/10.1071/MF24...
🌐 Info via Fishes of Australia: fishesofaustralia.net.au
#Australia #fish #biology
November 5, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Our #FishOfTheWeek this week is… the Eastern Blue Groper (Achoerodus viridis) 🐟
👇More #fishfacts and the latest #research featuring ASFB members:
doi.org/10.1071/MF24...
🌐 Info via Fishes of Australia: fishesofaustralia.net.au
#Australia #fish #biology
👇More #fishfacts and the latest #research featuring ASFB members:
doi.org/10.1071/MF24...
🌐 Info via Fishes of Australia: fishesofaustralia.net.au
#Australia #fish #biology
Reposted by Emily Lester
Scientists have developed a scalable “holdfast-graft” method to reseed Tasmania’s lost giant kelp forests. By binding hatchery kelp to other seaweed stubs, divers achieved 40× higher survival. Within a year, the grafted kelp began reproducing—kick-starting self-sustaining forests. #GreatSouthernReef
October 6, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Scientists have developed a scalable “holdfast-graft” method to reseed Tasmania’s lost giant kelp forests. By binding hatchery kelp to other seaweed stubs, divers achieved 40× higher survival. Within a year, the grafted kelp began reproducing—kick-starting self-sustaining forests. #GreatSouthernReef
Time to vote for the Australian Bird of the Year! I’m backing the Tawny Frogmouth. It looks like a stick, acts like a log, and still manages to be ridiculously charming. Could this be its year?Vote here: www.theguardian.com/environment/... #AussieBirdOfTheYear #TawnyFrogmouth
Australian bird of the year 2025: vote for your favourite #birdoftheyear in the Guardian / BirdLife Australia poll
From little penguins to (very big) cassowaries, every bird has its fans. Vote for your favourite in the 2025 Guardian/BirdLife Australia poll
www.theguardian.com
October 7, 2025 at 3:34 AM
Time to vote for the Australian Bird of the Year! I’m backing the Tawny Frogmouth. It looks like a stick, acts like a log, and still manages to be ridiculously charming. Could this be its year?Vote here: www.theguardian.com/environment/... #AussieBirdOfTheYear #TawnyFrogmouth
Sharp rise in US whale entanglements after NOAA cut-backs oceanographicmagazine.com/news/sharp-r...
Sharp rise in US whale entanglements after NOAA cut-backs - Oceanographic
The NOAA has reported a steep increase in large whale deaths by entanglement in fishing gear, news that follows federal budget cut backs
oceanographicmagazine.com
September 28, 2025 at 10:36 PM
Sharp rise in US whale entanglements after NOAA cut-backs oceanographicmagazine.com/news/sharp-r...
Reposted by Emily Lester
Study spotlights West Papua habitat as whale sharks face increased pressures
Study spotlights West Papua habitat as whale sharks face increased pressures
A new study reports that the Bird’s Head Seascape off Indonesia’s West Papua serves as a vital habitat for juvenile male whale sharks, but lift-net fisheries, tourism boats and emerging mining…
news.mongabay.com
September 28, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Study spotlights West Papua habitat as whale sharks face increased pressures
Bleaching on both the Great Barrier Reef and Ningaloo is a warning we can’t ignore.
The window to protect our coral reefs is closing fast and we must act now to limit warming and safeguard these iconic ecosystems.
🔗 www.bbc.com/news/article...
#CoralBleaching #MarineScience
The window to protect our coral reefs is closing fast and we must act now to limit warming and safeguard these iconic ecosystems.
🔗 www.bbc.com/news/article...
#CoralBleaching #MarineScience
Great Barrier Reef suffers worst coral decline on record
Reefs have been battered by cyclones and starfish that eat coral, but heat stress driven by climate change is the main cause of damage.
www.bbc.com
August 5, 2025 at 11:10 PM
Bleaching on both the Great Barrier Reef and Ningaloo is a warning we can’t ignore.
The window to protect our coral reefs is closing fast and we must act now to limit warming and safeguard these iconic ecosystems.
🔗 www.bbc.com/news/article...
#CoralBleaching #MarineScience
The window to protect our coral reefs is closing fast and we must act now to limit warming and safeguard these iconic ecosystems.
🔗 www.bbc.com/news/article...
#CoralBleaching #MarineScience
🦈 Heading to Sharks International 2026?
Consider applying to our session:
🎯 Quantifying the Chase: New Frontiers in Predator–Prey Dynamics
We’re exploring tools, techniques & cross-disciplinary insights.
🌐 si2026.org @sharks-int.bsky.social
#SharksInternational2026 #SharkScience #MarineEcology
Consider applying to our session:
🎯 Quantifying the Chase: New Frontiers in Predator–Prey Dynamics
We’re exploring tools, techniques & cross-disciplinary insights.
🌐 si2026.org @sharks-int.bsky.social
#SharksInternational2026 #SharkScience #MarineEcology
July 29, 2025 at 12:08 AM
🦈 Heading to Sharks International 2026?
Consider applying to our session:
🎯 Quantifying the Chase: New Frontiers in Predator–Prey Dynamics
We’re exploring tools, techniques & cross-disciplinary insights.
🌐 si2026.org @sharks-int.bsky.social
#SharksInternational2026 #SharkScience #MarineEcology
Consider applying to our session:
🎯 Quantifying the Chase: New Frontiers in Predator–Prey Dynamics
We’re exploring tools, techniques & cross-disciplinary insights.
🌐 si2026.org @sharks-int.bsky.social
#SharksInternational2026 #SharkScience #MarineEcology
🚨New paper! 🌍🦈😇
What do seafloor patterns reveal about fish, fear & food webs?
Tracking reef halos at Ningaloo Reef, we found they shrink in summer but grow in winter, correlated with seasonal temp and upwelling.
Single snapshots don't tell the full story. Context matters!
📖 rdcu.be/ewTI1
What do seafloor patterns reveal about fish, fear & food webs?
Tracking reef halos at Ningaloo Reef, we found they shrink in summer but grow in winter, correlated with seasonal temp and upwelling.
Single snapshots don't tell the full story. Context matters!
📖 rdcu.be/ewTI1
Deciphering the footprints of predator–prey interactions on coral reefs: seasonal dynamics and environmental drivers of reef halos
rdcu.be
July 20, 2025 at 11:45 PM
🚨New paper! 🌍🦈😇
What do seafloor patterns reveal about fish, fear & food webs?
Tracking reef halos at Ningaloo Reef, we found they shrink in summer but grow in winter, correlated with seasonal temp and upwelling.
Single snapshots don't tell the full story. Context matters!
📖 rdcu.be/ewTI1
What do seafloor patterns reveal about fish, fear & food webs?
Tracking reef halos at Ningaloo Reef, we found they shrink in summer but grow in winter, correlated with seasonal temp and upwelling.
Single snapshots don't tell the full story. Context matters!
📖 rdcu.be/ewTI1
Port Jackson season is kicking off in Sydney, and I couldn’t be more excited! Ready to brave some chilly waters for some face time with these curious little sharks 🦈❄️
July 15, 2025 at 10:13 PM
Port Jackson season is kicking off in Sydney, and I couldn’t be more excited! Ready to brave some chilly waters for some face time with these curious little sharks 🦈❄️
Reposted by Emily Lester
2024 saw a global bleaching event, but bleaching doesn't always mean corals die. Using drones, we found the 2024 bleaching event killed over 90% of shallow corals at Lizard Island. 🧪🦑🧵
We have to act now.
@griffith.edu.au JCU MQ @geonadir.bsky.social CSIRO
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
We have to act now.
@griffith.edu.au JCU MQ @geonadir.bsky.social CSIRO
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Coral bleaching and mass mortality at Lizard Island revealed by drone imagery - Coral Reefs
Quantitatively assessing mortality post coral bleaching at scale is inherently difficult, yet can be achieved with georeferenced imagery from aerial drones. Here, we assess the coral bleaching mortali...
link.springer.com
July 6, 2025 at 11:21 PM
2024 saw a global bleaching event, but bleaching doesn't always mean corals die. Using drones, we found the 2024 bleaching event killed over 90% of shallow corals at Lizard Island. 🧪🦑🧵
We have to act now.
@griffith.edu.au JCU MQ @geonadir.bsky.social CSIRO
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
We have to act now.
@griffith.edu.au JCU MQ @geonadir.bsky.social CSIRO
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Reposted by Emily Lester
🐠🦈 Just out: In this paper we ask "How has reef trophic structure changed since humans started removing predatory fishes from Caribbean coral reefs?".
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Illustrations @cookedillustrations.com
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Illustrations @cookedillustrations.com
July 1, 2025 at 6:40 PM
🐠🦈 Just out: In this paper we ask "How has reef trophic structure changed since humans started removing predatory fishes from Caribbean coral reefs?".
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Illustrations @cookedillustrations.com
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Illustrations @cookedillustrations.com
Reposted by Emily Lester
📣 We are excited to announce the opening of submissions for two prestigious #ECR awards:
🐟🏅 ASFB Early Career Excellence Award
www.asfb.org.au/awards/asfb-...
🐟🏅 Early Career International Travel Scholarship
www.asfb.org.au/awards/early...
🚨 Applications close 30 June
#fish #biology #science
🐟🏅 ASFB Early Career Excellence Award
www.asfb.org.au/awards/asfb-...
🐟🏅 Early Career International Travel Scholarship
www.asfb.org.au/awards/early...
🚨 Applications close 30 June
#fish #biology #science
June 1, 2025 at 2:01 AM
📣 We are excited to announce the opening of submissions for two prestigious #ECR awards:
🐟🏅 ASFB Early Career Excellence Award
www.asfb.org.au/awards/asfb-...
🐟🏅 Early Career International Travel Scholarship
www.asfb.org.au/awards/early...
🚨 Applications close 30 June
#fish #biology #science
🐟🏅 ASFB Early Career Excellence Award
www.asfb.org.au/awards/asfb-...
🐟🏅 Early Career International Travel Scholarship
www.asfb.org.au/awards/early...
🚨 Applications close 30 June
#fish #biology #science
Reposted by Emily Lester
In 1907, Kumataro Ito was hired to illustrate the nudibranchs collected on the Steamer Albatross' Philippine Expedition. 490,000 specimens were collected & stored in ethanol. They've lost their beautiful colors, but the illustrations are still stunning: blog.biodiversitylibrary.org/2017/08/arti... 🧪
May 26, 2025 at 10:00 AM
In 1907, Kumataro Ito was hired to illustrate the nudibranchs collected on the Steamer Albatross' Philippine Expedition. 490,000 specimens were collected & stored in ethanol. They've lost their beautiful colors, but the illustrations are still stunning: blog.biodiversitylibrary.org/2017/08/arti... 🧪
Reposted by Emily Lester
Yet again we are seeing "unprecedented" marine heatwaves in 2025.
buff.ly/mnEcYcV
What will we see in 2025 & beyond? @dansmale1.bsky.social comments, “If this continues through the summer we would expect to see widespread biological impacts. This is a significant warming event."
buff.ly/U6iBTBN
buff.ly/mnEcYcV
What will we see in 2025 & beyond? @dansmale1.bsky.social comments, “If this continues through the summer we would expect to see widespread biological impacts. This is a significant warming event."
buff.ly/U6iBTBN
May 22, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Yet again we are seeing "unprecedented" marine heatwaves in 2025.
buff.ly/mnEcYcV
What will we see in 2025 & beyond? @dansmale1.bsky.social comments, “If this continues through the summer we would expect to see widespread biological impacts. This is a significant warming event."
buff.ly/U6iBTBN
buff.ly/mnEcYcV
What will we see in 2025 & beyond? @dansmale1.bsky.social comments, “If this continues through the summer we would expect to see widespread biological impacts. This is a significant warming event."
buff.ly/U6iBTBN
Reposted by Emily Lester
Last call ⏳🚨
If you have any elasmobranch and killer whale interaction records we want to hear about it!
Please reach our team with the email below, would love to include them in our global review!
If you have any elasmobranch and killer whale interaction records we want to hear about it!
Please reach our team with the email below, would love to include them in our global review!
May 13, 2025 at 3:58 AM
Last call ⏳🚨
If you have any elasmobranch and killer whale interaction records we want to hear about it!
Please reach our team with the email below, would love to include them in our global review!
If you have any elasmobranch and killer whale interaction records we want to hear about it!
Please reach our team with the email below, would love to include them in our global review!
Reposted by Emily Lester
🚨NEW PAPER🚨
We used acoustic telemetry to track 355 white sharks over a 15 year period in California, describing differences in seasonal trends among demographic groups. DM if you need a copy, and huge thanks to all collaborators - it took a village!
www.publish.csiro.au/WR/WR24136
We used acoustic telemetry to track 355 white sharks over a 15 year period in California, describing differences in seasonal trends among demographic groups. DM if you need a copy, and huge thanks to all collaborators - it took a village!
www.publish.csiro.au/WR/WR24136
May 6, 2025 at 4:17 PM
🚨NEW PAPER🚨
We used acoustic telemetry to track 355 white sharks over a 15 year period in California, describing differences in seasonal trends among demographic groups. DM if you need a copy, and huge thanks to all collaborators - it took a village!
www.publish.csiro.au/WR/WR24136
We used acoustic telemetry to track 355 white sharks over a 15 year period in California, describing differences in seasonal trends among demographic groups. DM if you need a copy, and huge thanks to all collaborators - it took a village!
www.publish.csiro.au/WR/WR24136
Reposted by Emily Lester
For your consideration: the stunningly gorgeous midnight parrotfish, ladies and gentlemen 🤩🌌🦜🐟 #midnightparrotfish #parrotfishcapitaloftheworld #parrotfish #donteatparrotfish #grazer #beak #coral #coralhead #coralcitycamera #miami #portmiami #biscaynebay #bfi #noaa #aoml #coralcity
May 4, 2025 at 5:08 PM
For your consideration: the stunningly gorgeous midnight parrotfish, ladies and gentlemen 🤩🌌🦜🐟 #midnightparrotfish #parrotfishcapitaloftheworld #parrotfish #donteatparrotfish #grazer #beak #coral #coralhead #coralcitycamera #miami #portmiami #biscaynebay #bfi #noaa #aoml #coralcity
Reposted by Emily Lester
My first first-author paper (my master's work) is finally out in @animalecology.bsky.social ! We found that the recovery of reef shark populations invoked anti-predator behaviours in mesopredatory reef fishes on Ashmore Reef in Western Australia🦈🐟. doi.org/10.1111/1365...
Recovery of reef shark populations invokes anti‐predator behaviours in mesopredatory reef fishes on a coral reef
The nonconsumptive top-down effects of reef sharks on the wider coral reef community are a topic of controversy. Our study provides an important addition to experimental and spatial evidence for reef....
doi.org
April 11, 2025 at 12:31 AM
My first first-author paper (my master's work) is finally out in @animalecology.bsky.social ! We found that the recovery of reef shark populations invoked anti-predator behaviours in mesopredatory reef fishes on Ashmore Reef in Western Australia🦈🐟. doi.org/10.1111/1365...
Reposted by Emily Lester
New #sharkscience from Carlo Cattano et al.
Predatory teleosts shadow sandbar sharks to enhance predation opportunities.
#yawnshark
@ecologicalsociety.bsky.social
@iucnshark.bsky.social
esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
Predatory teleosts shadow sandbar sharks to enhance predation opportunities.
#yawnshark
@ecologicalsociety.bsky.social
@iucnshark.bsky.social
esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
March 30, 2025 at 9:04 PM
New #sharkscience from Carlo Cattano et al.
Predatory teleosts shadow sandbar sharks to enhance predation opportunities.
#yawnshark
@ecologicalsociety.bsky.social
@iucnshark.bsky.social
esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
Predatory teleosts shadow sandbar sharks to enhance predation opportunities.
#yawnshark
@ecologicalsociety.bsky.social
@iucnshark.bsky.social
esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
Reposted by Emily Lester
Lemon shark rolling deep with an entourage of jacks on a blue water day #lemonshark #jackcrevalle #entourage #sharksofcoralcity #rollingdeep #crew #coral #coralhead #coralcitycamera #miami #portmiami #miamibeach #biscaynebay #coralcity #civicpridethroughbiodiversity
March 26, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Lemon shark rolling deep with an entourage of jacks on a blue water day #lemonshark #jackcrevalle #entourage #sharksofcoralcity #rollingdeep #crew #coral #coralhead #coralcitycamera #miami #portmiami #miamibeach #biscaynebay #coralcity #civicpridethroughbiodiversity
Reposted by Emily Lester
🚨 New #Shark Pub available #OpenAccess in @natureportfolio.nature.com journal #ScientificReports 🚨
Here we reveal the dynamic physical processes that drive suitable habitat for Tiger Sharks in a subtropical coastal embayment🦈
🔗link here: rdcu.be/eeZG5
🧵 Thread for more: (1/6)
🎥: @jakemasondiving
Here we reveal the dynamic physical processes that drive suitable habitat for Tiger Sharks in a subtropical coastal embayment🦈
🔗link here: rdcu.be/eeZG5
🧵 Thread for more: (1/6)
🎥: @jakemasondiving
March 26, 2025 at 12:17 AM
🚨 New #Shark Pub available #OpenAccess in @natureportfolio.nature.com journal #ScientificReports 🚨
Here we reveal the dynamic physical processes that drive suitable habitat for Tiger Sharks in a subtropical coastal embayment🦈
🔗link here: rdcu.be/eeZG5
🧵 Thread for more: (1/6)
🎥: @jakemasondiving
Here we reveal the dynamic physical processes that drive suitable habitat for Tiger Sharks in a subtropical coastal embayment🦈
🔗link here: rdcu.be/eeZG5
🧵 Thread for more: (1/6)
🎥: @jakemasondiving
Reposted by Emily Lester
In 2019, we showed that tiny, bottom-dwelling fish can fuel coral reef energy fluxes. In our new paper, we reveal a dramatic dichotomy in their functional role across coral reef habitats separated by a few 100 meters.
esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
@esajournals.bsky.social
esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
@esajournals.bsky.social
March 24, 2025 at 6:34 PM
In 2019, we showed that tiny, bottom-dwelling fish can fuel coral reef energy fluxes. In our new paper, we reveal a dramatic dichotomy in their functional role across coral reef habitats separated by a few 100 meters.
esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
@esajournals.bsky.social
esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
@esajournals.bsky.social
A cute little wobbegong cruising through the shallows always brightens my day 🦈
March 20, 2025 at 1:10 AM
A cute little wobbegong cruising through the shallows always brightens my day 🦈
Reposted by Emily Lester
Would you like to present a talk or poster at #ASFB2025 in #Darwin⁉️
ABSTRACT SUBMISSION is now OPEN
👇 Follow this link for all the details on eligibility and how to submit.
www.asfbconference.org.au/abstracts
🚨 Portal closes Friday 16 May 🚨
#australia #fish #biology #conference
ABSTRACT SUBMISSION is now OPEN
👇 Follow this link for all the details on eligibility and how to submit.
www.asfbconference.org.au/abstracts
🚨 Portal closes Friday 16 May 🚨
#australia #fish #biology #conference
March 13, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Would you like to present a talk or poster at #ASFB2025 in #Darwin⁉️
ABSTRACT SUBMISSION is now OPEN
👇 Follow this link for all the details on eligibility and how to submit.
www.asfbconference.org.au/abstracts
🚨 Portal closes Friday 16 May 🚨
#australia #fish #biology #conference
ABSTRACT SUBMISSION is now OPEN
👇 Follow this link for all the details on eligibility and how to submit.
www.asfbconference.org.au/abstracts
🚨 Portal closes Friday 16 May 🚨
#australia #fish #biology #conference