Emily Lester
@emilylester.bsky.social
970 followers 230 following 17 posts
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
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emilylester.bsky.social
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
greatsouthernreef.bsky.social
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
emilylester.bsky.social
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
emilylester.bsky.social
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
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
emilylester.bsky.social
🦈 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
Poster for a Sharks International 2026 conference session titled “Quantifying the Chase: New Frontiers in Predator–Prey Dynamics.” The background is a watercolor blue gradient. The central image shows multiple shark silhouettes circling a single small red fish. The Sharks International Sri Lanka 2026 logo appears in the middle of the poster. Contact emails for sammyaz@stanford.edu, emily.lester@sydney.edu.au, and lauren.meyer@flinders.edu.au are listed at the bottom for more information.
emilylester.bsky.social
🚨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
Deciphering the footprints of predator–prey interactions on coral reefs: seasonal dynamics and environmental drivers of reef halos
rdcu.be
emilylester.bsky.social
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
odealab.bsky.social
🐠🦈 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
emilylester.bsky.social
It was really nice yesterday! Promise!
Reposted by Emily Lester
austsocfishbiol.bsky.social
📣 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
Reposted by Emily Lester
biodivlibrary.bsky.social
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... 🧪
An historic illustration of a red, yellow and pink nudibranch with grey dots along the bottom edge. An historic illustration of a blue and green nudibranch with a yellow edge. An historic illustration of a mustard yellow and grey striped nudibranch with a blue edge with a yellow trim. An historic illustration of a red and pink nudibranch with a white and orange edge.
Reposted by Emily Lester
thembauk.bsky.social
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
Reposted by Emily Lester
bellareeves.bsky.social
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!
Reposted by Emily Lester
sammy-shark.bsky.social
🚨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
Reposted by Emily Lester
coralcitycamera.bsky.social
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
sharkcolin.bsky.social
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/...
emilylester.bsky.social
Ohhhhh this is for sure going to be my next "Did you know?" fact. Thanks for sharing!
Reposted by Emily Lester
coralcitycamera.bsky.social
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
bendantonio.bsky.social
🚨 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
Reposted by Emily Lester
gobyone.bsky.social
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
emilylester.bsky.social
A cute little wobbegong cruising through the shallows always brightens my day 🦈
Reposted by Emily Lester
austsocfishbiol.bsky.social
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