Fish & Water - Sounds Wild
Alaska's Sponges

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Alaska Sponges

On the seafloor beneath Alaska's cold ocean waters dwell some of the world's most diverse and abundant sponge communities. Sponges may evoke visions of tropical waters, but they are abundant in Alaska's marine ecosystems. Deep-sea sponges can thrive in waters that are cold, acidic, and low in oxygen - conditions common in waters off Alaska.

Deep-water sponges are slow-growing and long-lived, and some can be hundreds of years old. These living structures create habitats for other animals, including commercially important species like rockfish, spot prawns, and golden king crabs. Sponge communities provide protection from predators, feeding opportunities, and nursery grounds for commercial species. Some fish lay their eggs in particular species of sponges.

Sponges are vulnerable to disturbances from commercial fishing, construction, and oil exploration. They are also affected by climate change and ocean acidification.

Scientists have identified 52 species of sponges in the Gulf of Alaska and more than 125 in the Aleutian Islands – in fact, the Aleutians have some of the densest and most diverse coral and sponge communities in the world. There are likely hundreds of species yet to be described. Researchers are learning about sponge and coral distribution in Alaska waters and are creating a reference library of Alaska sponges. For SW…