Dr Steve Whalan, Australian Institute of Marine Science

Project Description and Objectives

Download Poster:  Sponge farm at Masig operated by Kailag Enterprises

For detailed descriptions of the outputs for this project for Year 4 (2009/2010) of the MTSRF Research Programme, see the Annual Research Plan.

Project 1.3.2 builds on outputs and methodology of sponge aquaculture research previously conducted in the Torres Strait. Given awareness that the scale of the potential international market for commercial sponges may permit a venture larger than cottage industry size, it is now important to examine sustainability of the likely commercial development of a new industry in the Torres Strait. This will be achieved by laying ground work for an understanding the dynamics of shallow water sponge characterised communities and exploring risks and threats to sponge seed stock populations.

Given sponges play an important ecological role in these environments, possibly acting as nursery or recruitment habitat for other species of economic or ecological importance (as reported in other tropical habitats); and as sponges themselves are useful indicator or sentinel species for environmental stress, then relevant information will be delivered that will inform assessment of general habitat risk (from pollution, disease, invasions or sedimentation). Exploring the wider economic potential of bath sponge aquaculture in Torres Strait, based on work undertaken with CRC Torres Strait and Torres Strait Regional Authority will be contingent upon other funds and future work in collaboration with the Yorke Island Council and the Authority.

Ecological and risk assessment information will be integrated into the relevant Data Integration and Synthesis Frameworks for Reporting on the health of the Torres Strait ecosystems.

Key Objectives of Project 1.3.2 include: