Throughout the ninth dive of the 2021 North Atlantic Stepping Stones expedition, we saw this unknown “finger sponge” in high-density patches. The white sponge was often covered in a yellow encrusting sponge. A small sample of the sponge was collected during the dive so that it can be analyzed to learn more about it and what it might be.
Unknown “Finger Sponge”
Image courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, 2021 North Atlantic Stepping Stones: New England and Corner Rise Seamounts. Download larger version (jpg, 1.2 MB).

Throughout the ninth dive of the 2021 North Atlantic Stepping Stones expedition, we saw this unknown “finger sponge” in high-density patches. The white sponge was often covered in a yellow encrusting sponge. A small sample of the sponge was collected during the dive so that it can be analyzed to learn more about it and what it might be.

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