WA museum looking for rare marine sponge

The Western Australian Museum is asking beachcombers, divers, swimmers and anglers to help find examples of a very rare marine sponge that is only known to the Geraldton region.

The Agelas axifera was first found in 1905 at Champion Bay, and is the only known location of the sponge worldwide.

Head of Aquatic Zoology Jane Fromont said the first example of the species was taken to Germany early last century for scientific study and stored at a museum in Hamburg, but was destroyed during World War II.

The museum is looking for a new specimen of the sponge to assist with identifying other sponges in the state collection.

"I would encourage everyone in the Geraldton area who explores the beach to look out for a cup-like sponge with a bumpy surface, and possibly a light brown colour," Dr Fromont said.

The best time to look is after a storm or when Geraldton has big seas, as kelp and sponges from the bottom of the ocean wash ashore.

People are asked to photograph the sponge so the GPS location is known, and then take it to the WA Museum in Geraldton to be tested.

Museum staff will then perform a bleach test on the sponge to see if it is the correct species and if so, transport it to Perth.

Sponges up to 12 months old can still be assessed.