http://www.thenakedscientists.com/HT...ews/news/2045/
medetomidine causes barnacles to get hyperactive and they dont attach to the surface.
http://www.marinepaint.se/program/ma...000103062.html
so far they say it is working.
In marine paint
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medetomidine
Medetomidine can be used as an antifouling substance in marine paint. It is mainly effective against barnacles, but has also shown effect on other hard fouling like tubeworms. When the barnacle cyprid larva encounters a surface containing medetomidine the molecule enters the octopamine receptor in the larva. This makes the larva legs start kicking and it cannot settle to the painted surface. When the larva swims away from the surface, the effect disappears (reversible effect).The larva regain its function and can settle somewhere else.
so far looking positive
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0816095822.htm
The substance medetomidine has proved effective in preventing fouling of ship bottoms. Researchers at the University of Gothenburg have now identified the gene that causes the barnacle to react to the substance, opening up the possibility of an antifouling paint that is gentle both on barnacles and on the environment.
http://www.google.com/search?sourcei...w=1333&bih=884