Although marine aquaculture is being developed to produce sponge biomass inexpensively,
aquaculture in the sea has significant limitations. The culture conditions cannot be
controlled for sustained rapid growth and the productivity is susceptible to vagaries of
weather. In addition, sponge farms are vulnerable to disease and infestations of parasites.
Warmer periods can be particularly troublesome, as sponges succumb to pathogens more
readily during warm periods. The historical development of sponge aquaculture has been
reviewed by Osinga et al. (1999a).