Glass Sponge Research

Glass sponges are incredibly unique organisms consisting of skeletons formed by silicon dioxide and capable of forming extensive reef systems. Fossil records indicate that this ancient organism is over 800 million years old with the largest discovered reef once stretching over 7000 km long, more than double the size of the Great Barrier Reef! These incredible structures were thought to have been extinct until 1987, when an oceanographic survey in the Queen Charlottes discovered a 9,000-year-old sponge reef in Hectate Strait covering an area of 700 square km and reaching 8 stories high!

Former MLSS President Glen Dennison. Photo by MLSS Project Director and volunteer diver, Adam Taylor

Since their modern-day discovery, MLSS has been actively working to map the distribution of sponge reefs in Átl’ka7tsem/Howe Sound using drop-camera video. To date we have identified 10 out of the known 17 sponge reefs, as well as numerous sponge gardens (sponge growing on bedrock).

The sponge habitats within Átl’ka7tsem/Howe Sound are unique not just for their structure but for the depths at which they are found at. Around the world the greatest density of sponge reefs are found in waters greater than 300m , making observation and study of these ecosystems possible only through ROV or submersibles. Within Átl’ka7tsem/Howe Sound however, sponges can be observed in depths as shallow as 80ft making them accessible to recreational divers. The presence of these sponge reefs at diveable depths offers researchers a great opportunity to study and better understand these incredible ecosystems.

While there is still much unknown, research has already shown that sponge reefs are capable of filtering up to 47 300 L/m² per day and have carbon sequestration rates comparable to those of old growth forests and marine kelp beds! Sponges also offer incredibly important habitat and nursery grounds for a variety of marine life, including commercially important species such as rockfish and lingcod.

Despite having persisted for millions of years, these ‘living fossils’ are threatened from anthropogenic disturbances like climate change and physical damage from fishing gear, threatening not only their survival but the health of the ecosystem as a whole. Protection of these animals is therefore critical and MLSS is working hard with DFO, the fishing industry, and other organizations to achieve adequate protection of these incredible marine habitats. Explore our different projects and how YOU can get involved in the conservation of these unique and critical organisms.