Objective To explore the inhibition effects and mechanism of high-voltage pulsed electric field (HPEF) in marine environment on microbial fouling. Methods Carbon fiber / epoxy composite anti-corrosion coating was prepared by brushing method, and the effects of the carbon fiber length and content on the dielectric properties and surface energy of the composite coating as well as the bactericidal performance of the carbon fiber composite coating in high-voltage pulsed electric field. Results The results showed that the carbon fiber length and content were the main factors affecting the dielectric properties of the composite coating under high frequency. With the increase of electric field intensity and frequency within the set range, the sterilization rate of the coating obviously increased, while with the increase of duty cycle, the sterilization rate of the coating first increased and then decreased and finally tended to be stable. When the duty cycle was 0. 5, the maximum sterilization rate of 99. 8% was reached. Conclusion The composite coating with a doping content of 0. 1% 5 mm carbon fiber had excellent dielectric properties. High-voltage pulsed electric field had a good killing effect on bacteria and the sterilization rate of the coating could reach 99. 97% .