SPONGE BASICS	BABY- MAKING	WHAT'S FOR DINNER	THERE SHE BLOWS	SPONGE INDUSTRY	SPONGES FOR SALE
SYNTHETIC VS. NATURAL	CANCER CURE	TARPON SPRINGS	TARPON'S SPONGE INDUSTRY	BELIEVE OR NOT	FUN AND TEAM

Synthetic vs. Natural As stated on our “Sponges For Sale” web page, natural sponges definitely possess many characteristics which make them more desirable than synthetic sponges.  But, synthetic sponges are closing the gap.  Eventually, with scientific research, synthetic sponges will probably overtake natural sponges to become the most desired sponge in the industry. But, there is also another reason that natural sponges may loose the race.  Natural sponges were once planted and grown as a crop but due to changes in their environment, their growth and survival has been affected.  Sponges are covered with pores, pores which have the important job of feeding the sponge.  With the increase in water pollutants and sediment disturbance, the water contains many substances which can cause the pores to become blocked.  If these pores remain blocked, then the sponge will die.  Also, with the increase in commercial fishing, trawling has affected the growth and survival of sponges.  With trawling, large nets are lowered into the water; they are then drug through the water to catch various crustaceans and fish.  However, they are dragging up sponges also.  When the catch is brought into the marketplace, the sponges are then discarded as by-catch wastes.   Synthetic Sponges vs. Natural Sponges As stated on our “Sponges For Sale” web page, natural sponges definitely possess many characteristics which make them more desirable than synthetic sponges.  But, synthetic sponges are closing the gap.  Eventually, with scientific research, synthetic sponges will probably overtake natural sponges to become the most desired sponge in the industry. But, there is also another reason that natural sponges may loose the race.  Natural sponges were once planted and grown as a crop but due to changes in their environment, their growth and survival has been affected.  Sponges are covered with pores, pores which have the important job of feeding the sponge.  With the increase in water pollutants and sediment disturbance, the water contains many substances which can cause the pores to become blocked.  If these pores remain blocked, then the sponge will die.  Also, with the increase in commercial fishing, trawling has affected the growth and survival of sponges.  With trawling, large nets are lowered into the water; they are then drug through the water to catch various crustaceans and fish.  However, they are dragging up sponges also.  When the catch is brought into the marketplace, the sponges are then discarded as by-catch wastes.