A national workshop on the impacts of anti-fouling systems and of ships’ biofouling has been held in Mauritius (14-16 September). The workshop raised awareness of the issues and developed capacity for the ratification and implementation of the anti-fouling Systems (AFS) Convention and the implementation of the Biofouling Guidelines. Participants gained a greater understanding and appreciation of the requirements and implications of ratifying, implementing and enforcing the AFS Convention, and implementing the Biofouling Guidelines, including class-based work and a site visit. The workshop was funded by IMO’s Technical Cooperation Fund and was held on the request of the Government of Mauritius. IMO’s Theofanis Karayannis was at the workshop, which was opened by the Minister of Ocean Economy, Marine Resources, Fisheries, Shipping and Outer Islands, Mr Premdut Koonjoo.