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National Ocean Service National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Home Education Corals The Importance of Coral Reefs

Commercial Sponging

Boat with harvested sponges

In the 1890s, harvesting sponges was second only to cigar-making in economic importance in the Florida Keys. Today, commercial sponging still takes place in these coral reefs areas, but on a much smaller scale. Large nets of recently harvested marine sponges can be seen drying on the top of this boat's wheelhouse. (photo: Scott Larosa)

Corals Lessons

The National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) includes this resource in its database. NSTA provides educators and students access to Web-based, educationally appropriate science content that has been formally evaluated by master teachers.
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