Exploring the potential of bath sponge aquaculture in Torres Strait 2005

A series of farming experiments were done in Torres Strait using the common bath sponge Coscinoderma n. sp. to establish commercially viable culture procedures. The first experiment compared several farming methods and found that mesh panels promoted greatest sponge growth and survival, probably because they cause minimal tissue damage. Using mesh panels, a subsequent experiment examined the importance of farming site and season of transplant. Sponge growth and survival were similar between the three farming sites, while growth was highest for explants transplanted at the end of winter. These explants doubled in size on average in 6 months. The final experiment examined the optimal explant size to transplant and found that 'medium sized' explants (104 cm3) have good growth and survival, and permit high explant production from a given amount of sponge biomass. This study has identified good farming procedures, and coupled with the high growth rates of Coscinoderma n. sp., it suggests that bath sponge aquaculture in Torres Strait will be a viable industry.