Playing a key role in the early development of Tarpon Springs was the sponge fishing industry that began at the early 20th Century. Sponge fishing grew to a peak in the 1930′s before being rushed by a red tide in the late 1940′s that decimated sea life throughout this portion of the Gulf of Mexico. In the last 20 years sponge fishing has rebounded and many fisherman can be seen coming and going from the sponge docks.
