Microencapsulation of natural antifouling compounds and their subsequent inclusion in polymeric coatings is a viable alternative to self‐polishing polymeric paint or rosin‐based ablative coatings. However, as naturally occurring compounds, the crude extracts of Octocorals(Renilla reniformis)or Pukalides, while found to be effective agents, are subject to both photolysis and chemical degradation in the marine environment. For these compounds to provide a viable alternative to persistent metallic toxicants such as organotins, they must be stabilized in the coating and released at their minimum effective dosages to provide for long term biofouling control.