Page 



Disease, parasites, and epizoics . . . . , 47 



The 1938-39 sponge disease 47 



The 1947-48 sponge disease 48 



Other detrimental effects 48 



Parasites and epizoics 49 



Commercial sponge production 51 



Production after the 1938-39 sponge disease 51 



Production after the 1947-48 sponge disease 51 



Needs of the sponging industry 54 



Analysis of the yearly take and value of sponges, 1950-56 55 



Probable reason for annual fluctuations in landings 56 



Present status of the sponge industry 57 



Methods of harvesting 57 



Cleaning of sponges 59 



Selling and sharing system 59 



Amount and value of sponges sold 60 



Take per unit of effort and historical analysis 60 



Probable sponge distribution in 5 and 10 years from 1957 64 



Discussion and recommendations 65 



History of decline in sales from 1938 65 



Purposes of recommendations 66 



Recommendations 67 



Establish a 6-inch size limit 67 



Improve fishing techniques 68 



Transplant sponges 69 



Institute further biological research on the commercial sponges 69 



Acknowledgments 70 



Literature cited 71 



Appendix 73 



iv 



