Harvesting Sponges

Wool sponge and rake underwater, June 1989 (Florida Maritime Museum - Banks Collection)

There are different methods of harvesting sponges; one involves using a long pole with hook to tear a sponge free from the ocean floor. In another method, divers go underwater and cut the sponges free. When a sponge is harvested, if sufficient sponge tissue remains left behind, the sponge can regenerate. This is more successful for cut sponges, which have a 71% survival rate, than for hooked sponges, where the survival rate is 41%.

Five species of sponges are harvested commercially. The sheep’s wool sponge (Hippospongia lachne), pictured here, is considered the most important and most marketable species because it is the softest and most durable.

Sponger beneath sea 1946 (Florida Memory).jpg

Photograph of a sponge diver harvesting a sponge underwater. (Photo courtesy of Florida Memory).

Sponge diver with sponge (Florida Memory).jpg

Sponge diver on edge of boat with sponge, 1944 (Photo Courtesy of Florida Memory)

Fishermen trimming sponges (Florida Memory).jpg

Fishermen trimming sponges on boat, 1946 (Photo courtesy of Florida Memory)

Drying sponges in Tarpon Springs 1949 (Florida Memory).jpg

Worker drying sponges outside a workshop in Tarpon Springs, October 1949 (Photo courtesy of Florida Memory)

Jimmy L. stringing sponges aboard the Medusa, July 23, 1988 (Florida Maritime Museum - Banks Collection)

First auction July 26 1988 630 yellows 690 wools $4438 (FMM).jpg

From Blake Banks's first sponge auction in Tarpon Springs, July 26, 1988 (Florida Maritime Museum - Banks Collection)

Nov 29 1988 Wool sponges G.B.'s Warehouse 2(FMM).tif

George Billiris's warehouse in Tarpon Springs, 1988 (Florida Maritime Museum - Banks Collection)

Sponges for sale in Tarpon Springs ca 1969 (Florida Memory).jpg

Sponges for sale in Tarpon Spings, ca. 1969 (Photo courtesy of Florida Memory)