Lengths of Cables 1, 2, and 3 that overlapped with the reef complex were 101.9, 134.6, and 88.7 m, respectively, resulting in mean overlap of 108.4 m. Over the course of our study we have not seen any evidence of cables moving across the surface of the sponge reef. In some cases, the cables appeared to have ‘sliced’ large sponges (presumably at installation) with no direct physical damage to the sponge on either side of the cable over the course of six months or more (Fig. 2 and Fig. 3a). We also encountered healthy sponges growing in direct contact with the cable (Fig. 3b). Although our study did not cover cable installation phase, our observations suggest that direct physical damage is likely limited to the footprint of the cable itself.