Today on Marine Science Minute with Florida Sea Grant: Sponges 

Many of us know about sponges in the kitchen, but what about sponges in the ocean? Sponges serve as important components of shallow and deep-water bottom communities.  

Sponges offer numerous ecological benefits: they provide habitat for fish and invertebrates, enhance bottom habitat, and possess the capability to filter large volumes of water. The ability of sponges to filter organic matter from the water column is of particular importance for water clarity.  

Florida Sea Grant is assisting with sponge restoration around the state. Sponge restoration is done through sponge propagation or gardening, with the goals of habitat restoration and water quality improvements. For information about this and other coastal topics, contact your county extension office or visit Florida Sea Grant at flseagrant.org.