New Alaska sea sponge species fuel debate over fishery practices

By: Yereth Rosen

Outlets: Alaska Beacon

Published: October 9, 2026

Words: 1,451

Last Updated: 1 week, 1 day ago

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The vast and largely unexplored seafloor off Alaska’s coastline produces occasional startling discoveries.

The latest concerns the sponges that line the bottom of the ocean and contribute to an ecosystem that supports some of the nation’s biggest seafood harvests.

Scientists have now identified nine previously unknown species of sea sponges that dwell there, including one that represents an entire genus that was previously unknown.

The discoveries are the product of a …

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