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Sponge Gardens

Yellow Zoanthis (photo: Jonathan Stevenson)

1 year ago from Parks Victoria

Location: Sponge Gardens

Draughtboard Shark (photo: Mark Norman)

1 year ago from Parks Victoria

Location: Sponge Gardens

Encrusting Sponge (photo: Mark Norman)

1 year ago from Parks Victoria

Location: Sponge Gardens

Sea Tulip (photo: Mark Norman)

1 year ago from Parks Victoria

Location: Sponge Gardens

Butterfly Perch (photo: Julian Finn)

1 year ago from Parks Victoria

Location: Sponge Gardens

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Brightly coloured and composed of a huge range of invertebrate species, sponge gardens are found growing on deep reefs (generally >20m) along the coast of Victoria. These habitats flourish in deeper waters or shaded areas because they do not require much light, unlike algae and seagrass.

The invertebrates which make up the fascinating ecosystem include sponges, hydroids, sea fans, sea whips, sea pens, tube worms, bryozoans and ascidians. These, in turn, provide an important habitat for other animals (e.g. nudibranchs).

The invertebrates which make up sponge gardens are generally filter feeders, which means that they filter small particles out of the water column for food.  Sponge gardens play an essential role in nutrient cycling in the ocean.

Key Threats

  • Fishing or removal of animals and plants
  • Marine pests such as the Northern Pacific Seastar (Asterias amurensis) or the Japanese Kelp (Undaria pinnatifida) which compete for food or space
  • Anchor damage
  • Climate change effects including sea level rise, warming sea surface temperatures, and increasing ocean acidity.

Where to see sponge gardens

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