Biofouling is the accumulation of micro and macro organisms on a solid surface exposed to a marine environment. It cause a reduction of operational effectiveness of marine structures[1]. The process begins with the settlement of microorganisms on the surface demonstrated in figure 1, the microorganisms then produce Extracellular Polymeric Substances (EPS) forming a biofilm.
Hydrophobic surfaces have been shown to inhibit biofouling and it has been noted that some strains of macroalgae use surface topography and leaching of antimicrobials to minimise biofouling.