After the positive experience of summer 2012 (see news and pictures), SpongeBob decided to help sponge farming take the next step and become a technology for marine restoration. The protocols developed by GAIA in the frame of project SPECIAL will be deployed to promote biodiversity in the artificial reef of Alassio (Ligurian Sea, Italy). This new project, named Sponge Friends, is supported by Nickelodeon and Reef Check Italia onlus thanks to crowdfunding via eBay (open on May 6th 2013). Have your bid for SpongeBob, and become a Sponge Friend!