The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1914-03-11
FIND new SPONGE
FISHING GROUNDS
Extensive Field Is Located Off
the Coast of Honduras

Where do all the sponges come
from? from the sea. Of course, but
very few people know Just how or
whore they are gathered. and that
their habitat is restricted To very
few profitable fishing districts. Like
oysters. sponges don't travel about II
their own accord and they must be
caught where they grow. As the de-
maud constantly increases and the
older fishing areas are being deplete !
newly discovered grounds are of great
Importance and are eagerly sought
news item in the current number
of the Monthly Bulletin of the Pan
American Union. Washington. -. C.,
states that recently "a shipment OF =
600 sponges of fine grade arrived IT
Mobile, Alabama, from the coast OF
Honduras The fact that this coast
has extensive sponge-fishing possibiN-
ties had been either practically ul-
known or ignored until Greek sponge
fisher from the Mediterranean sea
happened along during the latter part
OF last year. With about three weeks
fishing ne gathered enough for the
shipment alluded 10. and now Hondur-
as is going to add another product 20
its other numerous industries.
Sponge fishing is rather unique
occupation, and the term fishing is
not much Of misnomer. Most of
them are Stil caught with hooks not
withstandng the fact that the i'm
proyement in diving apparatus has
made their gathering easier. They
thrive only in the salt water Of the
sea. and the best known districts are
In the Mediterranean Sea, the Carib-
bean Sea. the Gulf of Mexico and wa
ters contiguous To these. Those II the
Mediterranean are the oldest and pro-
duce about half in value, though not in
quantity, Of the worlds supply.
Market Animals Skeleton.
TO persons who know spOnges only
as they appear ready for sale and use,
the animal as ii comes from the sea
would be unrecognizable. 1t is a solid
looking, rather Shiny neshy body,
varying i'm color from light greyish
yellow through range Of browns To
black, and in form either cup-shaped,
spheroidal. or cake shaped, according
to the species, its ages, or the environ
ment in which it grew In general, in
appearance and consistency and the
manner in which it cuts with a knife,
a living sheepswool sponge is not un-
like piece of beef liver perforated
with holes and canals. The sponge Of
the markets is merely the skeleton. the
supporting framework which gives
strength and form To the soft gelatin
Gus tissues Of the living animal.
Concerning the life histories of com
mercial sponges but little is known. IN
some species, at least, the sexes are
separate, the females greatly prepon-
derating. and the young are produced
mainly if not solely from eggs TIE
young are, for time, minute free
swimming organisms which may he
carried considerable distances by tho
currents before they at last settle
down for permanent attachment,
usually on natural rock bars near the
coast.
Improve Method Of Fishing.
The old method of gathering the
sponge was To wade into the shallow
waters and pull up the growth 10y
hand. Later the sponge hook, a two
or three tined short hook attached %
a long pole, was introduced, and deep
er water could be fished. The fisher
man in his boat closely scanned the
bottom of the water for sponges, tear
ing them loose ana depositing them in