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One of the most extensive sea sponge surveys in the world has unveiled
a bevy of sponge species, some suitable for culture, many new to science.
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| Bath sponges.
Photo by AIMS. |
The study is the start of a two-year collaborative project between the
Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS), CRC Torres Strait, and
the Torres Strait Regional Authority to explore the potential for bath
sponge culture in the region.
AIMS scientists have completed a field trip to the Torres Strait combing
10,000 square metres of ocean floor documenting at least 30 different
bath sponge species.
Project Leader AIMS marine biologist Dr Alan Duckworth said one particularly
exciting species suitable for the bath sponge market was identified.
“This particular bath sponge is from the classic bath sponge order
and is a soft, durable sponge with good shape and was found throughout
Torres Strait waters, from Erub (Darnley Is.) and Masig (Yorke Is.) to
Badu and the inner group of Islands,” Dr Duckworth said. “They
were particularly large and abundant around Masig and surrounding islands
in the central Torres Strait, where some were up to 40 cm in diameter.”
The world sponge market is currently worth US$40M. It is supplied by natural
bath sponge populations from the Mediterranean and Caribbean but these
regions have been over harvested and hit by disease and are unable to
keep up with global demand. “It means the world market is grossly
undersupplied and the best way to meet that demand without the over-harvesting
problems elsewhere, is through aquaculture,” said Dr Duckworth.
TSRA Chairperson, Toshie Kris said that this was an exciting project considering
the potential of the market, but it was important to ensure any potential
farming techniques would not impact on the natural environment.
“Our marine environment can be quite fragile, so we constantly identify
that protection of our sea country is paramount, especially if one of
the long-term outcomes of all of this may be the development of a potential
industry,” Mr Kris said.
“It is still early days for this project and it will be very interesting
to assess what the potential for farming sponges is in our region.”
AIMS is pioneering sponge farming techniques and experimenting with low-technology
in-sea aquaculture compatible with the customs of remote coastal communities.
The next exciting phase of the two-year long project is to develop ways
to farm this bath sponge species off Masig where the natural population
is flourishing. At the end of the project the potential for aquaculture
as a new industry will be assessed. The team of AIMS scientists will be
working closely with the Island’s traditional owners and exchanging
scientific knowledge and training with their extensive knowledge of the
marine environment. While Masig will be the base of the initial trials,
the results can be applied in other Torres Strait and indigenous coastal
communities.
Dr Alan Duckworth and Libby Evans-Illidge will be available for Interviews
at the RV Cape Ferguson, Riverside Marine, 310 Boundary Street, South
Townsville from 10-11am on Monday 16 August. Images and video footage
of the AIMS Torres Strait field trip will be made available to the media
on request.
Media Contacts:
Dr Alan Duckworth: AIMS Project Leader, Email: a.duckworth@aims.gov.au
TSRA Media Contact: Wayne See Kee, Public Affairs, (07) 4069 0700
Wendy Ellery: AIMS Media Liaison, Ph, 0418 729 265, Email: w.ellery@aims.gov.au
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