Biology of Fouling in the Gulf of Manaar: A Preliminary Account

Abstract

A successful anti-fouling research program has its basis on a detailed knowledge about the biology of the attaching organisms, their occurrence, seasons of settling, frequency and mode of attachment and rate of growth in the particular habitat. Although many inquiries have been initiated in the more advanced countries, the subject in general has been neglected in tropical and sub-tropical areas, in spite of the great practical utility of such studies in navigation and other allied topics. It would seem necessary that more attention should be directed in this field than hitherto paid. The present communication is one among a series of papers by the author dealing with the important organisms collected from the monthly collectors exposed at Krusadai Island (Pamban Port). The attachments on panels recorded through a period of one vear have been reviewed.