Use of amide compounds represented by formula (I), for preventing or reducing settlement and/or fouling of marine fouling organisms on a surface of a submerged object is provided, wherein “-A-” has a formula —(CnH2(n-m))- which is either unsubstituted or substituted by one or more C1 to C4 alkyls, and wherein the formula —(CnH2(n-m))- represents a divalent alkyl, or a divalent alkenyl having one or more double bonds, n is 1 to 15, m is 0 to 4, and 2(n-m)=2, and R is selected from piperidinyl, pyrrolidinyl, isobutylamino, piperazinyl or morpholinyl. Amide compounds of formula (I), a category of antifouling compounds, can be either isolated from natural resources or synthesized, which are nontoxic and environmental-friendly.