Researchers at Japan's Marine Biotechnology Institute at Shimizy City are currently conducting sea trials of a new nontoxic paint that prevents fouling of ships' hulls by mussels and barnacles. Made from tribromogramine (TBG), a com-pound that mussels and barnacles detest, the new paint does not release damaging chemicals into the ocean. TBG is produced by Zoobotryoon pellucidutn, a bry-ozoan that lives on tidal rocks. A bryozoan is a marine species that form colonies of mossy growths. Mussels and barnacles often settle on the underside of a ship's hull, disturbing the smooth flow of the water increasing drag and adding to the fuel costs. All existing antifouling paints essentially work by killing barnacles and mussels. They contain toxic chemicals such a tin-based compound called o rganotins. TBG, on the other hand, merely repels the problematic creatures. The developers of the paint claim that TBG is perfectly safe and will have absolutely no negative effects on the marine organisms.
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