Discovery of anti-fouling agents

 

 The Prince Edward Island mussel industry has become a significant economy since the mid 1980s. Currently the shellfish farmers are facing serious problems from invasive fouling species, especially tunicates that have been a major concern to the PEI farmers as well as farmers around the world. It is clear that once established, it is difficult to control or eradicate invasive tunicates, therefore, preventing tunicate larval settlement appears to be an attractive option. Our general aim is to identify marine natural products that are capable of inhibiting the settlement of tunicate larvae.