Ongoing research led by the Assistant Director, Oceanography and Hydrography Dr Joseph Kamau on the development of antifouling paints, that are of a natural origin to be applied on ship hulls to prevent biofouling.

The paints constitute extracts of marine biota that have been obtained, mixed with cement and pasted on tiles for exposure experiments. The experiment entailed immersing treated tiles in the sea at KMFRI premises. Weekly sampling and monitoring has been conducted, and the data collected is showing good inhibition.

Biofouling not only occurs on the external surface of the ships but also gets into the water intakes and sticks to the surface of the pipes leading to blockage and corrosion.  Marine growth such as barnacles and mussels have been the greatest contributors to decreased ship efficiency, corrosion etc.