Rebecca is a dedicated researcher whose work has taken an intriguing and unexpected turn. Her primary focus is on parasite load and prevalence in East High Arctic Canadian (EHCA) Brent Geese, but her investigations have led her to an exciting discovery: the presence of microplastics in samples collected from Iceland. This unexpected finding has expanded the scope of her research, highlighting the pervasive nature of plastic pollution and its potential impact on migratory bird populations.
Rebecca's study is particularly noteworthy due to its unique approach. She and her team have been collecting fecal samples from known ringed Brent Geese that frequent the Alftanes area during their migration. With an impressive dataset spanning nearly two decades, Rebecca can correlate laboratory findings (microplastic presence, parasite ova, and microbiome data) with individual birds' life histories. This comprehensive approach allows for a deeper understanding of how microplastics may be affecting these geese over time.
What makes Rebecca's research truly groundbreaking is that there are currently no published records of microplastic occurrence in Brent Geese. Her work has the potential to provide crucial insights into how microplastics are impacting these migratory birds, potentially influencing their life history strategies. This research not only contributes to our understanding of plastic pollution's far-reaching effects but also demonstrates the interconnectedness of environmental issues and the importance of adaptability in scientific inquiry.
We hope you enjoy the interview as much as we did!
(Photo: Rebecca Saxton and Thomas Weston)
Firstly state your name, your organisation and your role.
Rebecca Saxton | Master’s by Research Student at The University of Exeter (Cornwall Campus)
Why is conserving and protecting the oceans important to you?
At the age of 6 my parents decided to emigrate from the UK to The Bay of Plenty, New Zealand whereby many of our weekends were spent frequenting the heights of Mt. Maunganui or rather ‘The Mount’, so-called by the locals. For my parents, whilst this would just be a move to the other side of the world; to young me, I was an explorer venturing into an expedition to lands unknown, through the eyes of an impressionable child the waves below looked big & burly. I remember looking down wondering what curiosities lie beneath the surface & it’s these so insignificantly small moments which have contributed to my desire to protect our oceans & enter a conservation/scientifically driven career.
What are you doing that is better for the oceans?
On a scientific approach, my current research in the Icelandic staging grounds took somewhat of an unexpected trajectory when I was carrying out routine lab work & detected microplastics in EHCA Brent Goose faecal samples, objectively, the most I found was a resounding 22 in a single 1g sample of Goose poo! Building upon these preliminary findings, with further lab work I aim to describe MP burden on marine/terrestrial Geese & gain further understanding of those implications on overall individual & group health.
By contributing to ever-growing bodies of study, we can forecast future predictions ahead of time, allowing us to shatter glass ceilings (or rather plastic!) by advancing technologies & public engagement to mitigate or reduce MP output within our ecosystems. Alarmingly, there is very little surprise that researchers are struggling to find ‘clean’ control groups to compare against exposed groups, posing a real concern not only to human but wildlife health also.
What do you think the surfing industry specifically can be doing to support the health of the oceans?
I absolutely adore the Cornish Surf though I am admittedly terrible at it! On a small-scale, I’m aware that many healthier lifestyle practices are being promoted within ‘surf culture’, especially here on campus. From being involved in the FalSurf society here in my Undergraduate days, when not out on the water, I know that many students care deeply about the marine environment & are really making solid efforts to reduce their plastic consumption & even grow their own produce (which are not plastic wrapped!). I believe that small individual efforts really help contribute towards long-term localised change. Social media is also a great way to get more people involved!
After ambling through the quaint surf shops in my local town, I have noticed that many of the surf waxes & other amenities are indeed plastic wrapped… perhaps companies could look to invest in biodegradable packaging or perhaps packaging-free alternatives. Likewise, this could also be said for surfboards & wetsuits; alternatively, they could be made from bio-resins or recycled materials. Surfboards could also be upcycled to make new ones.
Can you recommend any books, brands, organisations or people our followers should check out for inspiration?
Sure! Surfers Against Sewage, The Ocean Clean-Up, Ethique (zero-waste beauty products), Pela (sustainable phone case brand), Wild (deodorant refill brand), Patagonia, Finisterre, NSP Surfboards.
Any final message you would like to share?
“Small efforts fuel big contributions to change”
When it comes to protecting our oceans, the lifeblood of our planet, I believe that for many people this is still an ‘out of sight, out of mind’, issue. When we remind ourselves of the reality, it is far from sustainable. Though the problem may seem somewhat insurmountable; we need to change our mindsets… simply by viewing plastic as a wildlife risk rather than a commodity that we need to have to go about our lives already sets a positive tone for long-term change.
Connect with Rebecca on her Linkedin !