Where are commercially valuable natural sponges harvested?

Commercially valuable natural sponges are primarily harvested in the eastern Mediterranean area. Additionally, they are harvested off the west coast of Florida and the Florida Keys, throughout the West Indies, off the coasts of Mexico and Belize, and to a limited extent, near the Philippines.1

These sponges are typically found at depths ranging from the tidal level down to approximately 200 feet and are collected using methods such as hooking, harpooning, skin diving, or deepwater fishing.1