Discovering Deep-Sea Sponges in Alaska

Deep beneath Alaska’s cold waters dwell some of the world’s most diverse and abundant sponge communities. These living structures provide essential habitat and refuge for many commercially important fish. Identifying sponge species and where they live is key information for ecosystem-based fisheries management in Alaska.  Despite their importance, much remains to be learned about Alaska’s deep-sea sponges. Scientists have identified 52 species of sponges in the Gulf of Alaska and over 125 in the Aleutian Islands. An estimated several hundred species have yet to be described.

NOAA researchers may have discovered two new organisms on the Aleutian seafloor

Climate NOAA Fisheries

Discovering Deep-Sea Sponges in Alaska

Deep-sea Corals Smithsonian Ocean

Surveys off Alaska lead to new types of soft-bodied fish

Discovering Deep-Sea Sponges in Alaska

Deep-Water Alaska Sponge Has Molecules That Selectively Target And Kill Pancreatic Tumor Cells

Other Invertebrates (corals, sponges, worms, etc.) - Point Reyes National Seashore (U.S. National Park Service)

What predators do sponges have? - Quora

News and Announcements

Alaska's once-secret coral gardens getting a closer look and, potentially, new protections - Alaska Beacon

Sponge Animal Facts Demospongiae - A-Z Animals

Sponges NOAA Fisheries