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Aquaculture is a global-scale industry providing sustainable production of protein-rich foods required to feed the growing world population. Microalgae cultivation in aquaculture bioreactors can exude extracellular polymeric substances leading to biofouling of culture infrastructure and increased algal disease risk. A structure–behaviour relationship was developed by examining how the surface wettability of a range of functional nanocoatings impacts the extent of biofouling during exposure to continuous microalgae culture under normal hydrodynamic conditions. High-wetting (hydrophilic) surfaces were found to reduce biofouling better than water-repelling (hydrophobic) surfaces. Low toxicity in conjunction with antifouling behaviour was found for pulsed plasma poly(4-vinylpyridine) coated bioreactor surfaces (water contact angle = 38 ± 5°) towards the marine microalgal species Chaetoceros calcitrans, Chaetoceros mulleri , and Tisochrysis lutea (T- Iso), which are commonly grown as aquaculture food. [Display omitted] • Nanocoatings are fabricated with varying surface wetting. • A structure–behaviour relationship correlates surface wetting to extent of biofouling during microalgae culture exposure. • High wetting (hydrophilic) surfaces are better at reducing biofouling compared to water repelling (hydrophobic) surfaces. • Most effective are non-toxic pulsed plasma poly(4-vinylpyridine) nanocoatings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]