Development of Biofouling Communities on Nylon Net Panels Submerged in the Central Red Sea: Effects of Season and Depth

Abstract

In this study, seasonal and depth-wise changes in biofouling community development were analyzed using nylon net panels in Jeddah coastal waters of the Red Sea. Nylon net (small and large mesh size) panels were prepared and submerged in the coastal waters during summer and autumn seasons. The biofouling community settled on the net panels in this study includes groups such as copepods, polychaetes, amphipods, isopods, bivalves, gastropods, ascidians, and macroalgae. Biofouling growth is more abundant on small mesh size net panels than larger mesh size net panels. Most of the fouling groups showed higher abundance at 2 m depth. In general, the results of the present study show that the factors such as season and depth influence the recruitment of fouling communities on net panels.