Top Yellow Sponge Fishing Countries

The "yellow sponge" is not a fish but a type of marine sponge, specifically sought after for use in bathing, cleaning, and sometimes in art and cosmetics due to its soft texture and absorbency. The most prized natural yellow sponges are species like *Spongia officinalis* and *Spongia agaricina*, which are primarily harvested in the warm waters of the Mediterranean and the Caribbean. Greece, particularly the Dodecanese islands such as Kalymnos, has a long and storied tradition of sponge diving and is historically considered the world’s leading producer of natural yellow sponges. Other significant sponge fishing countries include Turkey, Tunisia, and Egypt in the Mediterranean region, as well as the Bahamas and Cuba in the Caribbean. The sponge fishing industry in these countries has deep cultural roots, often involving traditional free-diving or hookah diving methods, though it faces modern challenges from overfishing, disease, and competition with synthetic sponges.

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