The following are the detailed site survey reports. Each site has been assigned a number going clockwise from the known sponge bed; thus the first site, located to the northwest of the sponge bed has been assigned the number one (1). There were a total of 42 sites surveyed. These sites have been noted on the enclosed maps of Pohnpei's reefs.
This site was surveyed on October 8, 1988.
The visibility at this site was 35 to 45 feet. There appeared to be very little silt suspended in the water column. The area was mixed coral and sand. The area bottomed out at approximately 55 feet deep and this depth seemed to extend for many acres. There were good quantities, both in numbers and in species, of non-commercial sponges observed. This site appears to offer at least 20 acres of farmable area.
Four commercial sponges were observed.
Two were approximately 8 to 10 inches in diameter. One of these was at approximately 40 feet deep, and the other was approximately 45 feet deep. They were approximately 30 to 40 feet apart.
The other two sponges were only about 10 to 15 feet apart at a depth of 55 feet. One was approximately 14 to 16 inches in diameter, and the other was a few inches smaller.
This site was surveyed on October 8, 1988.
The visibility at this site was 15 to 20 feet. There appeared to be alot of silt present in the water column and some even covering the corals. The area was mixed coral and sand. The area did not bottom out at 65 feet deep but instead the slope kept going down. We did not attempt to find the bottom. There were only a few, both in number and species, non-commercial sponges observed. It appears this site has little, if any, potential for sponge farming.
There were no commercial sponges observed.
This site was observed on October 1, 1988.
The visibility at this site was 15 to 20 feet. Like site number 2 there appeared to be a lot of silt suspended in the water column and some even covering the corals. The area was mixed coral and sand. The area did not bottom out at 65 feet deep but instead the slope kept going down. We did not attempt to find the bottom. There were only a few, both in number and species, non-commercial sponges observed. This site appears to be marginal, at best, for sponge farming.
There were no commercial sponges observed.
This site was observed on October 1, 1988.
The visibility at this site was 30 to 40 feet. There appeared to be very little silt present in the water column. The area was mixed coral and sand. The area did not bottom out at 65 feet deep and we did not attempt to find the bottom. There were good quantities, both in numbers and species, of non-commercial sponges observed. This site appears to offer some good sites for sponge farming.
Five commercial sponges were observed.
Two were approximately 7 to 8 inches in diameter and they were only about 15 feet apart in 40 feet of water. There was another at 40 feet that was several hundred yards away and was only 6 to 7 inches in diameter.
A sponge was found at 55 feet and it was about 12 to 14 inches in diameter.
The last sponge was found at 45 feet and was about 10 to 11 inches in diameter. The last two sponges were far away from each other and from the other three.
This site was observed on September 28, 1988.
The visibility at this site was 20 to 25 feet. There appeared to be some silt suspended in the water column. The area was mixed coral and sand. The area did not bottom out at 65 feet deep and we did not attempt to find the bottom. There were good quantities, both in numbers and species, of non-commercial sponges observed. This site appears to be marginal for sponge farming.
Only one commercial sponge was observed.
This sponge was approximately 9 to 10 inches in diameter and was at 45 feet deep.
This site was surveyed on September 14, 1988.
The visibility at this site was 35 to 45 feet. There appeared to be very little silt suspended in the water column. The area has a gentle slope from 25 feet deep down to about 70 feet deep. The slope then became much steeper and we did not attempt to find the bottom. There were good quantities, both in numbers and species, of non-commercial sponges observed. This site appears to offer some good sites for sponge farming. The only problem with establishing farms at this site is that it is a windward reef and would be hard to work during the windy season.
Five commercial sponges were observed.
Four were approximately 8 to 12 inches in diameter and they were only about 20 to 25 feet apart in 30 feet of water.
Another sponge was found at 55 feet and it was about 24 to 26 inches in diameter.
This site was surveyed on September 14, 1988.
The visibility at this site was 35 to 45 feet. There appeared to be very little silt suspended in the water column. The area was mixed coral and sand. The area has a gentle slope from 20 feet deep down beyond 65 feet deep. The slope then became much steeper and we did not attempt to find the bottom. There were good quantities, both in numbers and species, of non-commercial sponges observed. This site appears to offer some good sites for sponge farming.
Four commercial sponges were observed.
Two were approximately 12 to 14 inches in diameter and they were only about 25 to 35 feet apart in 40 feet of water.
Another sponge was found at 50 feet and it was about 24 to 26 inches in diameter. The last one was at 65 feet and was 24 to 28 inches in diameter. These last two sponges were far apart.
This site was surveyed on September 28, 1988.
The visibility at this site was 30 to 35 feet. There appeared to be some silt suspended in the water column. The area was mixed coral and sand. The area did not bottom out at 65 feet deep and we did not attempt to find the bottom. There were average quantities, both in numbers and species, of non-commercial sponges observed. This site appears to be marginal for sponge farming.
Two commercial sponges were observed.
One was observed at 50 feet deep and was 9 to 10 inches in diameter.
The second sponge was located far away from the first one and was found at 60 feet deep and was 20 to 22 inches in diameter.
This site was surveyed on September 29, 1988.
The visibility at this site was 40 to 50 feet. There appeared to be very little silt suspended in the water column. The area was mixed coral and sand. The area had a very steep drop down to about 80 feet deep. From that point the slope was not so steep and we did not attempt to find the bottom. There were good quantities, both in numbers and species, of non-commercial sponges observed. This site appears to offer some good, narrow sites for sponge farming.
Six commercial sponges were observed.
Two were approximately 10 to 12 inches in diameter and they were about 25 feet apart in 35 feet of water. There was another at 40 feet that was about 40 feet away, and was 8 to 10 inches in diameter.
A sponge was found at 50 feet deep and it was 24 to 26 inches in diameter. Another sponge was found at 50 feet, about 30 feet away, and it was about 22 to 24 inches in diameter.
The sixth sponge was found at 60 feet deep, some distance away from the ones at 50 feet, and it was about 20 to 22 inches in diameter.
This site was surveyed on September 29, 1988.
The visibility at this site was 40 to 50 feet. There appeared to be some silt suspended in the water column. The area was mostly rubble and silt with some live coral and some sand. This area also had a very steep drop down to about 80 feet deep. From that point the slope was not so steep and we did not attempt to find the bottom. There were good quantities, both in numbers and species, of non-commercial sponges observed. This site appears to offer some good, narrow sites for sponge farming. These good conditions appear to extend for at least two miles to the north and one mile to the south of this site.
Three commercial sponges were observed.
One was found at 40 feet and was 16 to 18 inches in diameter. Another was found at 45 feet deep and was 25 to 28 inches in diameter. The third one was found at 60 feet deep and was 18 to 20 inches in diameter.
This site was surveyed on September 24, 1988.
The visibility at this site was 30 to 35 feet. There appeared to be some silt suspended in the water column. The area was silty with only widely scattered corals. The area had a very steep drop down to 80 feet deep. There was below average quantities, both in numbers and species, of non-commercial sponges observed. This site appears to offer marginal sites, at best, for sponge farming.
Only two commercial sponges were observed.
One was at 45 feet deep and was 10 to 12 inches in diameter, and the other was 55 feet deep and was 22 to 24 inches in diameter. The two sponges were far apart.
This site was surveyed on September 24, 1988.
This site was very similar to site number 11 as they were very close together. The visibility at this site was 30 to 35 feet. There appeared to be some silt suspended at the water column. The area was silty with only widely scattered corals. The area had a very steep drop down to 80 feet deep. There were below average quantities, both in numbers and species, of non-commercial sponges observed. This site appears to offer marginal sites, at best, for sponge farming.
Three commercial sponges were observed at this site.
One was at 40 feet deep and was 8 to 10 inches in diameter, another was at 55 feet deep and was 18 to 20 inches in diameter and the last one was at 60 feet and was 22 to 24 inches in diameter. These three sponges were far apart.
This site was surveyed on September 7, 1988.
The visibility at this site was 30 to 40 feet. There appeared to be some silt suspended in the water column. The area was mostly sand mixed with coral. The area had a very steep drop down to beyond 65 feet deep and we did not attempt to find the bottom. There were average quantities, both in numbers and species, of non-commercial sponges observed. This site appears to offer marginal sites for sponge farming.
Many commercial sponges were observed. However, only six were of any size. The rest, 20 to 25 ranged in size from 2 to 6 inches in diameter. All the sponges were found mixed in with live coral.
Two of the six, were approximately 10 to 12 inches in diameter and they were far apart in 35 feet of water. There was another at 40 feet that was far away and was 18 to 20 inches in diameter.
Two sponges were found at 50 feet deep, far apart, and both were about 24 to 26 inches in diameter. Another sponge was found at 55 feet, again far away, and it was about 22 to 24 inches in diameter.
All of the smaller sponges were found in shallower water, from about 15 to 30 feet deep.
This site was surveyed on September 7, 1988.
The visibility at this site was 30 to 40 feet. There appeared to be some silt in the water column. The area was mostly sand mixed with coral. The area had a very steep drop down beyond 65 feet deep and we did not attempt to find the bottom. There were average quntities, both in numbers and species, of non-commercial sponges observed. This site appears to be a little bit better than site number 10 for sponge farming.
Many commercial sponges were observed. Nine were of commercial size, and the rest, 30 to 35 ranged in size from 2 to 6 inches in diameter. All of the sponges were found mixed down in with the live coral; none were found in the sandy/silty areas. Only the small ones were found in “groups”.
Three of the nine were approximately 10 to 12 inches in diameter and they were far apart in 30 feet of water. There were two others at 40 feet that were far away and were 22 to 26 inches in diameter.
Two sponges were found at 50 feet deep, far apart, and both were about 27 to 28 inches in diameter. Another sponge was found at 55 feet, again far away, and it was about 26 to 28 inches in diameter. The ninth sponge was at 65 feet deep and was about 30 to 33 inches in diameter.
The smaller sponges were mostly in shallower water, from 20 to 45 feet deep.
This site was surveyed on September 6, 1988.
The visibility at this site was 35 to 40 feet. There appeared to be very little silt suspended in the water column. The area was sandy with only widely scattered corals, and the coral was only in widely spaced ridges extending down from the reef flat. The area had a steep drop down to more than 65 feet deep, and we did not attempt to find the bottom. There was below average quantities, both in numbers and species, of non-commercial sponges observed. This site appears to offer marginal sites for sponge farming.
Four commercial sponges were observed.
The first was at 45 feet deep and was 12 to 14 inches in diameter. The second was at 50 feet deep and was 16 to 18 inches in diameter. The third was also at 50 feet and was 14 to 15 inches in diameter. The last was at 65 feet deep and was 18 to 20 inches in diameter. All of the sponges were far apart.
This site was surveyed on September 6, 1988.
This site was next to site number 14 and so was very similar. The visibility at this site was 35 to 40 feet. There appeared to be very little silt suspended in the water column. The area was sandy with only widely scattered corals, and the coral was only in widely spaced ridges extending down from the reef flat. The area had a steep drop down to more than 65 feet deep, and we did not attempt to find the bottom. There was below average quantities, both in numbers and species, of non-commercial sponges observed. This site appears to offer marginal sites for sponge farming.
Three commercial sponges were observed.
The first was at 35 feet deep and was 10 to 12 inches in diameter. The second was at 45 feet deep and was 18 to 20 inches in diameter. The third was at 55 feet and was 14 to 16 inches in diameter. All of the sponges were far apart.
In addition, like site number 14, many (8 to 10) groups of smaller sponges were observed. These were all about 2 to 5 inches in size and were found at all depths from 20 to 60 feet deep.
This site was surveyed on September 11, 1988.
This site and the next two, were reported to be traditional sponge collecting areas. However, no commercial sponges were observed at any of these three sites. Non-commercial sponges appeared to be in normal numbers, both as to species and quantities, indicating that sponges, at least non-commercial sponges, can grow here. This site did appear to have good potential for commercial sponge farming.
The visibility at this site was 30 to 40 feet and there appeared to be very little silt in the water. The area was mixed coral and sand, with an average slope on down beyond 65 feet deep.
This site was surveyed on September 11, 1988.
As mentioned earlier, this site was reported to be a traditional sponge collecting area. However, no commercial sponges were observed at this site. Non-commercial sponges appeared to be in normal numbers, both as to species and quantities, indicating that sponges, at least non-commercial sponges, can grow here. This site did appear to have good potential for commercial sponge farming.
The visibility at this site was 30 to 40 feet and there appeared to be very little silt in the water. The area was mixed coral and sand, with an average slope on down beyond 65 feet deep.
This site was surveyed on September 11, 1988.
Again, as mentioned earlier, this site was reported to be a traditional sponge collecting area. Again, no commercial sponges were observed at this site. Non-commercial sponges appeared to be in normal numbers, both as to species and quantities, indicating that sponges, at least non-commercial sponges, can grow here. This site, the entire reef “hole”, did appear to have very good potential for commercial sponge farming.
The visibility at this site was 30 to 40 feet and there appeared to be only a little silt in the water. The area was mixed coral and sand, and bottomed out at about 30 to 35 feet. This site was checked during our surface interval using skin diving techniques.
This site was surveyed on September 12, 1988.
The visibility at this site was 30 to 40 feet and there appeared to be very little silt in the water. The area was mixed coral and sand, with an average slope down beyond 65 feet deep. We did not attempt to find the bottom. Average numbers of non-commercial sponges were found, indicating This site may have some potential for future sponge farming.
No commercial sponges were found.
This site was surveyed on September 12, 1988.
This site was next to, and very much like site number 20. The visibility at this site was 30 to 40 feet and there appeared to be very little silt in the water. The area was mixed coral and sand, with an average slope on down beyond 65 feet deep. We did not attempt to find the bottom. Average numbers of non-commercial sponges were found, indicating this site may have some potential for future farming.
No commercial sponges were found.
This site was surveyed on September 9, 1988.
Again, this site and the next several sites, was reported to be a traditional sponge collecting area. However, no commercial sponges were observed at this site. Non-commercial sponges appeared to be in normal numbers both as to species and quantities indicating that sponges, at least non-commercial sponges, can grow here. This site did appear to have good potential for commercial sponge farming.
The visibility at this site was 35 to 45 feet and there appeared to be very little silt in the water. The area was mixed coral and sand, with an average slope on down beyond 65 feet deep.
This site was surveyed on September 9, 1988.
This site was very much like site number 21. We chose to pick a site close by because, like above, this site was reported to be a traditional sponge collecting area. However, no commercial sponges were observed at these sites either. Non-commercial sponges appeared to be in normal numbers both as to species and quantities indicating that sponges, at least non-commercial sponges, can grow here. This site did appear to have good potential for commercial sponge farming.
The visibility at this site was 35 to 45 feet and there appeared to be very little silt in the water. The area was mixed coral and sand, with an average slope on down beyond 65 feet deep.
This site was surveyed on September 9, 1988.
As mentioned earlier, this site was reported to be a traditional sponge collecting area. The visibility at this site was 30 feet plus and there appeared to be very little silt in the water. The area was mixed coral and sand. This site is a “hole” in the reef and was surveyed by skin diving as the bottom was only 25 to 30 feet deep. This site was surveyed during our surface interval and appears to have very good potential for sponge farming.
Many commercial sponges (25 to 30) were observed from the surface. Because of the depth it would have been difficult to see any small sponges and in fact we did not observe any less than about 12 inches in diameter. Those that we did observe appeared to be from 12 to 30 inches in diameter.
This site was surveyed on September 10, 1988.
As mentioned earlier, this site was reported to be a traditional sponge collecting area. However, no commercial sponges were observed during this dive. Non-commercial sponges appeared to be in normal numbers both as to species and quantities indicating that sponges, at least non-commercial sponges, can grow here. This site did appear to have good potential for commercial sponge farming.
The visibility at this site was 30 to 40 feet and there appeared to be very little silt in the water. The area was mixed coral and sand, with an average slope on down beyond 65 feet deep.
This site was surveyed on September 10, 1988.
As with the previous four sites, this site was reported to be a traditional sponge collecting area. No commercial sponges were observed during the survey until just before returning to the boat. Non-commercial sponges appeared to be in normal numbers both as to species and quantities indicating that sponges, at least non-commercial sponges can grow here. This site also did appear to have good potential for commercial sponge farming. The visibility at this site was 30 to 40 feet and there appeared to be very little silt in the water. The area was mixed coral and sand, with an average slope on down beyond 65 feet deep.
Nine commercial sponges were observed in water 25 feet deep, within 100 yards of the boat. All nine were within 30 feet of each other, and they ranged in size from about 8 to 20 inches in diameter.
This site was surveyed on September 18, 1988.
The visibility at this site was 30 to 40 feet and there appeared to be quite a bit of silt in the water. The area was mixed coral, silt and sand, with a steep slope down beyond 80 feet deep. We did not attempt to find the bottom. Below average numbers of non-commercial sponges were found, indicating this site may not have much potential for future farming.
No commercial sponges were found.
This site was surveyed on September 17, 1988.
The visibility at this site was 30 to 40 feet above 25 feet deep and only about 15 to 20 feet below 25 feet. There appeared to be alot of silt in the water below 25 feet deep. The area was mixed coral, silt and sand, with a steep slope on down beyond 80 feet deep. We did not attempt to find the bottom. Below average numbers of non-commercial sponges were found. This site does not appear to have much potential for commercial sponge farming.
No commercial sponges were found.
This site was surveyed on September 17, 1988.
The visibility at this site was 30 to 40 feet and there appeared to be some silt in the water. The area was mixed coral, silt and sand, with an average slope on down beyond 80 feet deep. We did not attempt to find the bottom. Average numbers of non-commercial sponges were found, indicating this site may have some potential for future farming.
Two commercial sponges were observed.
The first was at 45 feet deep and was 18 to 20 inches in diameter. The second was at 40 feet deep and was 14 to 16 inches in diameter. The two sponges were far apart.
This site was surveyed on September 18, 1988.
The visibility at this site was 30 to 35 feet and there appeared to be some silt in the water. The area was mixed coral, silt and sand, with a steep slope on down beyond 80 feet deep. We did not attempt to find the bottom. Average numbers of non-commercial sponges were found, indicating this site may have some potential for future farming.
Six commercial sponges were observed.
Three were between 30 to 35 feet deep and were 12 to 14 inches in diameter. One was at 50 feet deep and was 8 to 10 inches in diameter.
Two were between 60 to 65 feet deep and were 22 to 26 inches in diameter. None of the sponges were within 150 yards of each other.
This site was surveyed on September 4, 1988.
The visibility at this site was 25 to 30 feet and there appeared to be alot of silt in the water. The area was mostly silty with sand or coral, and had a steep drop down beyond 75 feet deep. We did not attempt to find the bottom. Average numbers of non-commercial sponges were found, indicating this site may have some potential for future farming, but farms would have to be very narrow.
Two commercial sponges were found.
The first was at 35 feet deep and was 8 to 10 inches in diameter. The second was at 65 feet deep and was 30 to 34 inches in diameter.
This site was surveyed on September 4, 1988.
The visibility at this site was 35 to 40 feet and there appeared to be some silt in the water. The area was mostly coral with very little sand and had a steep drop down beyond 75 feet deep. We did not attempt to find the bottom. Average numbers of non-commercial sponges were found indicating this site may have some potential for future farming, but the farms would have to be very narrow.
One commercial sponge was found at 55 feet deep and it was 33 to 36 inches in diameter.
This site was surveyed on September 25, 1988.
The visibility at this site was 35 to 40 feet and there appeared to be some silt in the water. The area was mixed coral and sand, and had a steep drop down beyond 65 feet deep. We did not attempt to find the bottom. Average numbers of non-commercial sponges were found, indicating this site may have some potential for future farming, but the farms would have to be very narrow.
Two commercial sponges were found.
The first was at 60 feet deep and was 24 to 26 inches in diameter. The second was at 65 feet deep and was 30 to 34 inches in diameter.
This site was surveyed on September 25, 1988.
The visibility at this site was more than 35 feet and there appeared to be very little silt in the water. This is a reef “hole” which bottomed out at around 65 feet deep. There was a very gradual drop down to the bottom in the survey area, and this site appears to have good potential for future commercial sponge farms.
Eleven commercial sponges were observed scattered over the range of the dive. They ranged in size from 8 to at least 32 inches in diameter. Most were found in the deeper parts of the “hole”.
These two sites were surveyed on September 8, 1988.
Both of these sites were chosen because they were within an area that was reported to be a traditional sponge gathering area. After no commercial sponges were observed during the first dive, the second dive was made close by to be sure we were not missing something.
The visibility at these sites was less than 35 feet and there appeared to be some silt in the water. Both had a steep drop down beyond 65 feet deep and we did not attempt to find the bottom. Both sites were mostly dead coral and rubble. Very few non-commercial sponges were found and no commercial sponges were observed at either site.
This site was surveyed on October 15, 1988.
The visibility at this site was 35 to 40 feet and there appeared to be little silt in the water. The area was mixed coral and sand, and had a drop down to 65 feet deep. We did not attempt to find the bottom. Average numbers of non-commercial sponges were found, indicating this site may have some potential for future farming.
Two commercial sponges were found.
The first was 50 feet deep and was 22 to 24 inches in diameter. The second was 55 feet deep and was 20 to 24 inches in diameter. These two sponges were far apart.
This site was surveyed on October 15, 1988.
The visibility at this site was 35 to 40 feet and there appeared to be little silt in the water. The area was mixed coral and sand, and had a gradual drop down to a little beyond 65 feet deep. We did not attempt to find the exact depth of the bottom. Average numbers of non-commercial sponges were found, indicating this site may have some potential for future farming.
Four commercial sponges were found.
The first was at 40 feet deep and was 14 to 16 inches in diameter. The second was at 55 feet deep and was 20 to 24 inches in diameter.
The third was also at 55 feet deep and was 18 to 20 inches in diameter. The last one was at 65 feet deep and was about 25 to 27 inches in diameter. All of the sponges were far apart.
This site was surveyed on October 16, 1988
The visibility at this site was 40 to 45 feet and there appeared to be little silt in the water. The area was mixed coral and sand, and had a gradual drop down beyond 65 feet deep. We did not attempt to find the bottom. There was a strip of sand approximately 100 yards wide from the reef edge down to 55 feet deep where the coral started. There was nothing except sand in this area. A fair number of non-commercial were found, indicating this site may have some potential for future farming.
Seven commercial sponges were found.
The first was at 40 feet deep and was 24 to 26 inches in diameter. The second was at 55 feet deep and was 30 to 34 inches in diameter.
Three were found close together, about 15 feet apart, at 60 feet deep, and they varied from about 18 to 26 inches in diameter.
Two were found at 60 feet that were far apart. One was 18 to 20 inches in diameter, and the other was 26 to 28 inches in diameter.
This site was surveyed on October 16, 1988.
This site was similar to site number 38 as they were close together. The main difference was this site had no strip of barren sand extending out from the reef flat. The visibility at this site was 30 to 35 feet. There appeared to be some silt suspended in the water column. The area was silty with only widely scattered corals. The area had a steep drop down to at least 80 feet deep. There was below average quantities, both in numbers and species, of non-commercial sponges observed. This site appears to offer marginal sites, at best, for sponge farming.
Two commercial sponges were observed at this site.
One was at 50 feet deep and was 18 to 20 inches in diameter and the other was at 55 feet deep and was 18 to 20 inches in diameter. These two were far apart.
This site was surveyed on September 5, 1988.
This site is a patch reef located about mid-way between the island and the barrier reef. This is a small patch reef and we were able to completely swim around it twice. The first dive at the 50 to 65 foot range and the second dive at the 25 to 40 foot range. Many commercial sponges were observed. The visibility was 35 to 40 feet and the site was mostly coral with some sand. The slope dropped down to beyond 65 feet and we did not attempt to find the bottom. This limited site seems to be very good for future commercial sponge farms.
Most of the 25 to 30 sponges observed on the top (which was about 15 feet deep) were small; from 3 to 8 inches in diameter.
Many other commercial sponges (15 to 20) were observed all around the patch reef at all depths and varied in size from about 12 to at least 26 inches in diameter.
This site was surveyed on September 5, 1988.
This site was also a patch reef located closer to the barrier reef and we were able to swim completely around it twice. The first dive at the 50 to 65 foot range and the second dive at the 25 to 40 foot range. Six commercial sponges were observed. The visibility was 35 to 40 feet and the site was mostly coral with some sand. The slope dropped down to beyond 65 feet and we did not attempt to find the bottom. As above, this limited site seems to be very good for future commercial sponge farms. No commercial sponges were observed on the reef top.
Six commercial sponges were observed. All were small.
Two were at 35 feet deep and 12 to 14 inches in diameter. One was at 45 feet deep and was about the same size, 12 to 14 inches in diameter. Two were at 55 feet and were larger, 18 to 20 inches in diameter. The sixth one was at 60 feet deep and was 22 to 24 inches in diameter. None of these sponges were close together.
