Commercial sponge : Spongia officinalis

Distribution: Spongia officinalis is found in the Eastern Mediterranean and from the West Indies to Florida.

Notes : Commercial sponges are harvested off the Gulf coast of Florida at Tarpon Springs. Tarpon Springs experienced an influx of immigrants from the Dodecanese Islands of Greece who settled here to work in their native industry of sponge diving. As the industry grew, so did the Greek community, bringing its wonderful ethnic flavor, customs and charm with them.