A method and apparatus for a marine vessel water intake filtering system is described. The apparatus includes a filtering device adapted to couple to the marine vessel over a water intake port in the hull of the vessel. The filtering device lowers the flow velocity of the water on the incoming surface of the filter while maintaining a suitable flow to the intake port of the vessel. The filtering device prevents marine species of a certain size from becoming entrained in the water flow and entering the intake port, and provides for marine species that may be in the area of the intake do not become impinged on the filtering device as a result of intake water flow velocity.