New project to help grow sea sponges in Australian Marine Park

Dr Chris Giles has been helping to re-populate reefs in Australia with sea-sponges

A marine park in Australia is trying out a new way to help protect sea sponges.

Marine biologist Dr Chris Gillies and his team from Offshore Biotechnologies are dropping 120 tonnes of rubble and reefs made from recycled shells onto the sea floor in the Apollo Marine Park.

They will then introduce baby sea sponges to the reefs to help create new communities, with an aim to improve the area's biodiversity.

"The rock, with all the grooves, will attract plankton, baby sponges and baby corals, [and] the hard surface creates the reef and colonises the sea bed," Dr Gillies said.

The scientists hope these sea sponge gardens will help to provide habitats for species like rock lobsters, as well as improving the cycle of food and filtering water.

What are sea sponges?

Sea sponges are an important part of the marine ecosystem

When you think of a sponge you might think about the one used for washing up in your kitchen.

But the sea sponges we're talking about are actually living creatures.

There are around 8,500 different species of sponges in the world, which live in our oceans and estuaries and help to keep water clean by feeding on tiny particles of food that float by.

Here are some sea sponge facts!

• Sponges can be many different colours, sizes, and shapes.

• They are invertebrates, which means they do not have backbones.

• Sea sponges don't have a brain, a digestive system, or even blood!

• They are directly affected by the water they filter in and out of their bodies.

• The water gives them food and oxygen, and it flushes out anything bad.

• Sponges are some of the oldest known creatures on Earth, with some sponge fossils dating back 600 million years!

Dr Chris has been helping to grow baby sea sponges in a marine laboratory in Australia.

"Sponges are extraordinary creatures," said Dr Chris Gillies, "They've existed since before the dinosaurs, forming intricate relationships with microorganisms that make them a rich source of medical compounds."

Sponges grow slowly, relying on stable conditions to create rich, diverse habitats over decades or centuries.

Scientists from Deakin University in Australia will monitor the reefs using underwater drones.

The Australian government has invested in the trial, and may apply the reef-improvement techniques to other marine parks if there are good results from this one.

This will be particularly important in the future as reefs are becoming damaged by the affects of climate change.

"Working with partners to help reef habitats repair and flourish will ensure underwater animals and plants continue to thrive in their marine environments." said Parks Australia - a government authority which looks after parks across Australia.