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Of 58 species of marine microorganisms tested, 9 have demonstrated antibiotic activity against nonmarine forms. The most actively antagonistic marine genera were Bacillus and Micrococcus. Similarities in the behavior of sea water and of antagonistic marine cultures indicate that the bacteriostatic or bactericidal activity of the former may be at least partially due to an autochthonous flora of antibiotic-producing organisms. It is suggested that the sea may represent a reservoir of microbial antagonists of possible importance.