The Decline of Mediterranean Sea Sponges: A Risky Trade

🌊Diving for natural sea sponges in the Mediterranean is a dangerous trade due to factors such as decompression sickness, limited harvest time, and the risk of injury.

💰The declining population of sea sponges has driven up their prices, making them more valuable in the market.

🌍Climate change, waste, and disease are major factors contributing to the decline of sea sponge populations in the Mediterranean.

⛴️Divers are increasingly fishing in deeper waters where valuable sponge species can be found, but this poses additional risks and limitations.

🔪The process of harvesting and processing sea sponges involves meticulous cleaning and trimming to enhance their marketability.

Why are natural sea sponges more expensive than synthetic sponges?

—Natural sea sponges are more expensive due to their limited availability, labor-intensive harvesting process, and their use in various industries such as pottery and surgery.

What are the dangers faced by divers when harvesting sea sponges?

—Divers face risks such as decompression sickness, physical injuries during harvesting, and the dangers of working in deep waters for extended periods.

What are the main factors contributing to the decline of sea sponge populations?

—The decline of sea sponge populations can be attributed to climate change, waste pollution in the ocean, and the spread of diseases that affect sponge health.

Why is it becoming difficult to find divers who are willing to harvest sea sponges?

—The dangerous nature of the trade, combined with the decline in sponge populations, has made it difficult to find divers willing to take on the risks involved in harvesting sea sponges.

What is the value of deeper waters in terms of sponge harvesting?

—Deeper waters offer the potential for finding more valuable sponge species, but diving in deeper waters comes with limitations and increased risks for divers.

00:00Divers in Kalimnos, Greece have traditionally profited from harvesting natural sea sponges, which are more expensive than synthetic sponges.

02:04Natural sea sponges have been used for centuries in industries such as pottery, painting, and surgery.

03:36Harvesting sea sponges is a dangerous and labor-intensive job, and the declining population of sponges makes it less lucrative.

05:55Divers face challenges in harvesting sponges, including the limited number of sponges they can carry and the need to leave enough sponge substrate for regrowth.

08:09The decline of sea sponges is caused by climate change, waste, and disease, posing a major hurdle for the industry in Kalimnos.

08:17Despite the risks and challenges, the demand for natural sea sponges remains high due to their historical importance and qualities.