Abstract <p>In the field of marine antifouling, the importance of hydrogel marine coatings with high adhesion, anti-protein properties, and anti-fouling performance for marine pollution prevention should not be underestimated. While water gels have received widespread attention for their hydrophilic and eco-friendly characteristics, the inadequate adhesion and mechanical properties of traditional hydrogels limit their broader applications. In this study, a unique mussel-mimicking structure provides the coating with robust adhesion to the substrate material. The incorporation of methoxy methylated melamine-formaldehyde resin enhances the gel’s resistance to swelling and its mechanical properties, whereas tannic acid and cuprous oxide possess excellent adhesive properties and resistance to proteins and fouling. A comprehensive coating formulation exhibits superior resistance to protein and particulate contamination. This study paves the way for the development of highly adhesive marine biomaterials, which is of vital importance for the sustainable development of marine biomaterials.</p> Graphical abstract <p></p>