This review discusses the development of environmentally friendly marine coatings that resist biofouling, the unwanted growth of marine organisms on submerged surfaces. Marine biofouling is a significant problem for maritime industries, causing economic and environmental costs. Traditional solutions use biocidal paints, but environmental concerns are driving research toward non-biocidal coatings based on physico-chemical and material properties. Advances in nanotechnology, polymer science, and bioinspired surface designs are expected to significantly impact the development of new, eco-friendly coatings. Marine biofouling affects shipping, heat exchangers, and aquaculture systems. Fouling can increase fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, with significant annual costs for the US Navy. Current antifouling (AF) coatings are being replaced by non-biocidal alternatives that rely on surface properties to prevent or reduce adhesion. The review highlights the challenges of controlling biofouling without harming non-target species and the need for interdisciplinary research. The review discusses various strategies for developing non-biocidal coatings, including bioinspired topographies, amphiphilic nanostructured coatings, and inorganic-organic nanohybrids. These coatings aim to deter fouling organisms by manipulating surface properties, such as hydrophobicity, roughness, and chemical heterogeneity. Examples include Sharklet AF, which uses microengineered topographies to reduce fouling, and amphiphilic coatings that combine hydrophobic and hydrophilic segments to repel proteins. The review also explores the role of surface chemistry and molecular interactions in biofouling. Techniques like surface plasmon resonance and atomic force microscopy are used to study molecular events at the interface. The development of superhydrophobic surfaces, which repel water and prevent adhesion, is another promising approach. The review emphasizes the need for further research to understand the underlying biological and molecular mechanisms of biofouling and to develop coatings that are both effective and environmentally friendly. Future directions include the use of eco-friendly biocides, enzyme-based coatings, and advanced nanocomposites to combat biofouling. The review concludes that interdisciplinary research is essential for the development of practical, sustainable marine coatings.This review discusses the development of environmentally friendly marine coatings that resist biofouling, the unwanted growth of marine organisms on submerged surfaces. Marine biofouling is a significant problem for maritime industries, causing economic and environmental costs. Traditional solutions use biocidal paints, but environmental concerns are driving research toward non-biocidal coatings based on physico-chemical and material properties. Advances in nanotechnology, polymer science, and bioinspired surface designs are expected to significantly impact the development of new, eco-friendly coatings. Marine biofouling affects shipping, heat exchangers, and aquaculture systems. Fouling can increase fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, with significant annual costs for the US Navy. Current antifouling (AF) coatings are being replaced by non-biocidal alternatives that rely on surface properties to prevent or reduce adhesion. The review highlights the challenges of controlling biofouling without harming non-target species and the need for interdisciplinary research. The review discusses various strategies for developing non-biocidal coatings, including bioinspired topographies, amphiphilic nanostructured coatings, and inorganic-organic nanohybrids. These coatings aim to deter fouling organisms by manipulating surface properties, such as hydrophobicity, roughness, and chemical heterogeneity. Examples include Sharklet AF, which uses microengineered topographies to reduce fouling, and amphiphilic coatings that combine hydrophobic and hydrophilic segments to repel proteins. The review also explores the role of surface chemistry and molecular interactions in biofouling. Techniques like surface plasmon resonance and atomic force microscopy are used to study molecular events at the interface. The development of superhydrophobic surfaces, which repel water and prevent adhesion, is another promising approach. The review emphasizes the need for further research to understand the underlying biological and molecular mechanisms of biofouling and to develop coatings that are both effective and environmentally friendly. Future directions include the use of eco-friendly biocides, enzyme-based coatings, and advanced nanocomposites to combat biofouling. The review concludes that interdisciplinary research is essential for the development of practical, sustainable marine coatings.