Since the beginning of the season teams of the Astrakhan oblast produced more than 18.5 tons of badyagi – freshwater sponge, which is used for the production of creams. Only in the region for 2015, the permitted catch of 77 tonnes of this resource.

Mined .. usually from September to end of November. Engaged in such fishing in several districts of the Astrakhan region: Volodarsky, Ahtubinsk, Krasnoyarsk and Kamyzyaksky. Teams, which on average consist of 2-3 people, caught .. in the same areas from year to year. The extracted sponge plucked, dried, and tamped in bags weighing 5-7 kg. All this is done manually, said Fishnews in the regional Ministry of agriculture and fisheries.

Badyaga dried then ground into powder. Farmers sell it to local pharmacies. Also, the sponge is used to create creams. In particular, Astrakhan farmers supplying raw materials for the production of creams in Samara, Moscow. On average 1 kg of dry badyagi costs 700 rubles.