SURVEYING THE OCEANS (OCEANOGRAPHIC) 



53 



Test panels used to determine season of setting and 

 rates of growth of fouling organisms. 



Eight nearshore fouling sites are under study at present. About 

 three years of data will be collected at each site. Fouling study 

 projects are being planned for at least two additional sites in 1968. 

 The results of fouling studies at seven localities have been com- 

 pletely or partially reported. 



The marine fouling program should eventually improve our 

 understanding of the geographic distribution of fouling com- 

 munities and the ecological relationships of individual species 

 within these communities. A more immediate goal is the deter- 

 mination of approximate seasonal occurrence and growth rate of 

 attaching organisms for selected localities. From this information, 

 predictions can be made concerning the operational efficiency of 

 underwater equipment as it is affected by marine fouling. 



Fouling data are available from many world areas based upon 

 cumulative and qualitative studies made of test surfaces placed 

 in these areas. General information as to the thickness and tjrpe 

 of fouling also has been compiled from actual measurement of 

 fouling on installations in many areas. These data have been studied 

 and predictions of fouling for many ocean and harbor areas have 



