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.
Sea Sponges - Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve (U.S. National Park Service)
Rockfish NOAA Fisheries
Surprise Fossil-Munching Sponges Found in Arctic Seafloor Wasteland
What predators do sponges have? - Quora
Oceana's Gulf of Alaska Expedition Finds Ocean Teeming With Life - Oceana USA
Watch LIVE as NOAA Explore Alaska's Deep Waters, Science & Tech
NOAA researchers may have discovered two new organisms on the Aleutian seafloor
Deep sea octopus gardens intrigue scientists
News and Announcements
Gulf of Alaska 2002: Exploring Alaska's Seamounts Highlights
Climate NOAA Fisheries
Deep-Water Alaska Sponge Has Molecules That Selectively Target And Kill Pancreatic Tumor Cells
Deep-sea Corals Smithsonian Ocean
Discovering Deep-Sea Sponges in Alaska