Biofouling of artificial substrates is a well-known phenomenon that causes complications to offshore industries. However, fouling communities world-wide have mostly been studied within the first 50 meters of the oceans, whereas biofouling below this depth remains largely underexplored. Now in an era of technological advances and rapid development of offshore industries many of which are expanding to greater depths, it is of urgent necessity to develop an integral understanding of how biofouling changes with depth.


This session will be focused on biofouling below the photic depths of the oceans, addressing current knowledge and knowledge gaps around the theme and approaches for observational and experimental studies on biofouling. The session will include key-note presentations, followed by shorter panel presentations and an open discussion. Session length 1.5h. Contributions from the audience are welcome, please indicate in the registration form if you are interested in joining a panel with a short presentation.