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Sponges (Phylum Porifora) are sessile organisms
usually found in marine waters, although a few species do live in fresh water.
Standard methods of introduction include ship fouling or transportation in ballast
water of ocean-going vessels. Potential impacts include competition with native
species for suitable substrate and negative effects on organisms to which they
attach. An example of an introduced sponge is Bowerbank's Crumb of Bread sponge,
Halichondria bowerbanki. This sponge was introduced to the west coast with
commercial oyster plantings. So far, its impacts are unknown.
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