Marine biofouling is the unwanted accumulation of bacteria, algae, plants and marine animals on submerged structures including ships. Unfortunately, man’s attempts to develop effective antifouling coatings have had deleterious effects on marine life and a less toxic deterrent to cuprous oxide based paints are needed. Larval marine invertebrates have highly developed sensory organs which investigate surfaces prior to settlement, attachment and metamorphosis. We investigated this tactile chemical sense as a potential natural antifouling strategy by covalently linking the neuroendocrine hormone noradrenaline (NA) to poly(hydroxyethylmethacrylate) and to poly(methacrylic acid) polymer surfaces. NA was selected since it is well established that the soluble form it inhibits larval settlement in mollusks, barnacles, bryozoans and annelid tube worms, all of which are major macrofoulers. The NA conjugate polymer surfaces induced oyster cellular apoptosis when compared to negative controls and also deter the settlement of barnacle and oyster larvae. Fouling deterrence is promising strategy in that only treated surfaces would deter biofouling thus eliminating the need to release of any toxic substances into the oceans.