ABSTRACT
Fouling can be defined as the modification of an immersed, artificial structure that results in a deterioration of its performance. It is a complex mixture of physical, chemical and biological phenomena (Clare et al., 1992). When any surface such as a new or cleaned ship hull is put into the sea, first, an organic film, then microorganisms, attach to it. These particles are almost invariably invisible to the naked eye but as growth takes place, it soon becomes obvious that young macrofoulers are present, which grow into the familiar communities of adult macrofoulers (the barnacles, mussels, bryozoans, sea weeds, etc.) that are removed when the surface is again cleaned and the cycle begins again (Zahumec, 1988). In recent years, the research emphasis has focussed on the marine microbes that play an important role in the organic film formation. Marine biotechnology studies the molecular basis of settlement and adhesion to develop safer methods to prevent biofouling.
