Top Sponges Fishing Countries

Sponges, though not fish but simple aquatic animals, have been harvested for centuries for their natural absorbent qualities, especially before the advent of synthetic sponges. The top sponge fishing countries include Greece, Turkey, and Tunisia, with smaller industries in the Bahamas and Cuba. The Eastern Mediterranean, particularly around the Greek Dodecanese islands and the Turkish coast, has a long tradition of sponge diving, often using free-diving or shallow-water techniques. The industry peaked in the 19th and early 20th centuries, supplying natural sponges for household and industrial use worldwide. Overfishing, disease (notably the "sponge disease" of the 1980s), and competition from synthetic alternatives have greatly reduced harvests, but traditional sponge fishing remains an important cultural and economic activity in these regions.

Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.