Sponge production in and around Rhodes in the Ottoman period (19th century)

Man is in a constant struggle throughout his life. In this difficult process, geography is the only factor that determines the fate of a person. Sponging is also a result of this. It is the fate of those who have no other source of income and earn their living from the seas. It is difficult. It is equally risky. Sponges are biologically named Porifera (holes). Have a wide variety of forms and pigments. Generally, it lives in different depths and regions of the world such as lakes and seas. They are the black roses of the underwater world and have commercial value. The history of sponges, which are mostly found in the Mediterranean-Aegean basin, dates back thousands of years. Sponge hunting, which is a powerful source of economic income, was developed in the 19th century during the Ottoman period. At the same time, the Ottoman Empire created an important sponge market with its export rates. And at this point, the role of the islanders living in and around Rhodes is great. Over the years, unconscious hunting and competition among sponge divers have created danger for sponges. Therefore, it has been seen that the Ottoman Empire took measures to protect the sponges with financial and legal solutions. Since sponge farming was the only source of income for the people, the Ottoman Empire's approach to the incidents that occurred or may occur among the islanders both in other regions and in internal waters should not be overlooked. In short, sponge diving is a social and cultural heritage as well as an economic one. So much so that when we look at the usage areas of sponge even today, it is a natural source of wealth that our seas offer us. Therefore, it is useful to underline that the sponge's extinction must be protected. Key Words: Sponge, Rhodes, Aegean, Ottoman Empire, Sponge Industry, Island, Mediterranean