Sponge diving is the practice of harvesting natural sponges from the ocean floor. Divers, often using simple tools, search for sponges in shallow waters, typically in regions like the Mediterranean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. The sponges are collected for various uses, including cleaning and crafting. Historically, sponge diving was a significant industry, especially in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Divers would often work in teams and rely on their skills to locate and retrieve sponges. Today, while the industry has declined, some communities still engage in sponge diving as a traditional practice.