Marine sponges are an essential component of the benthic fauna. They play numerous functional roles in the ecosystem, thus contributing to ecosystem health and reducing the impact of increasing environmental changes on marine communities. Sponges of the genus Spongia are distributed on hard sublittoral substrates throughout the Mediterranean (especially in its eastern part) and along the east coast of the Atlantic. The socio-economic importance of this species has been known since ancient times, and they are still being exploited today with increasing interest for exploitation. The exploitation of sponges for commercial purposes is considered the greatest threat to these organisms, where overfishing and the use of inadequate fishing gear lead to significant degradation of their populations. Sponges are sensitive organisms that experience mass mortality and disease phenomena under a strong anthropogenic influence. Inadequate waste and wastewater disposal, discarded fishing tools, and the growing impact of climate change (rising sea temperatures, pH changes, and changes in marine currents) lead to changes in the species richness, abundance, and distribution of sponges. Six species of the genus Spongia have been recorded in the Adriatic Sea. This dissertation investigates sponges' distribution and farming potential from the genus Spongia around Silba Island (Zadar County). We found that they are widely distributed – 223 individuals of S. officinalis were recorded. Their distribution varies according to habitat type; the largest number of individuals (n = 135) was found on the rocky habitat with macroalgae, and the smallest (n = 4) on the rocks with algae and the presence of seagrass Posidonia oceanica. The data indicate that the Silba area could be considered a favorable location for farming sponges of the genus Spongia. Since research on commercially important sponges in the Adriatic Sea (and their threats) is insufficient, no monitoring is implemented, and the conservation status of Spongia species is unknown, research is needed to clarify the current state and identify problems leading to the degradation of natural populations of sponges. Potential aquaculture of sponges from the genus Spongia would reduce the pressure on natural populations and contribute to their regeneration.