Growth and Survival of Sponge Amphimedon sp. Transplants

Sponge is known as important marine natural product sources. Sponge Amphimedon sp. has been proven to have anticancer substances. However, direct exploitation of sponge from nature will give a bad impact to the marine environment. Sponge aquaculture can be applied for sufficiently and sustainably supply of bioactive compounds. In order to obtain data on growth and survival rates of transplanted sponge Amphimedon sp. in Panjang Island-Jepara waters, this in situ research was conducted. The sponges were explanted at 6 m and 1 m above the sea floor with two initial approximate size (3cm x 3cm x 1.5cm and 6cm x 6cm x 1.5cm). The growth rate was indicated by volumetric increment. The results showed that initial explants size gave a significant effect on the growth rates of the sponge. On the other hand, two different depths of culture did not give significant effect. The explant growth rates range from 3.01±1.60 cm^3.day^-1 to 3.43±1.08 cm^3.day^-1. Survival rate of the sponge during the experiment was 100 %. This result confirms that for the cultivation of sponges should use larger explants initial size. It also suggests that Panjang Island water has proven suitable for sponges cultivation activities.