Australia’s beaches have seen an unexpected influx of strange marine life this week: clusters of goose barnacles, known scientifically as Lepas anatifera. With an alien-like appearance, goose barnacles look like little more than clusters of “udon noodles” with shells attached to the ends, yet they are a prized delicacy in Europe and parts of Asia, where their price can soar to hundreds of dollars per kilo.
Recently, large groups of these unique crustaceans washed up at Horseshoe Bay, south of Adelaide, and shortly after at Bondi Beach in Sydney. Despite their unusual looks and exotic appeal, scientists are clear: their presence is not a biological anomaly but rather a natural occurrence caused by ocean currents and wind patterns.
“It was coated with what looked like udon noodles with cockles on the end,” said Martin Smee from Port Elliot’s surf life-saving club, who first spotted the barnacles on a beachside pylon at Horseshoe Bay. “I had a closer look, and there were barnacles—thousands of barnacles,” he told ABC Radio Adelaide.
The arrival of goose barnacles on Australian beaches isn’t particularly common, making these recent sightings noteworthy. But, as Dr. Rachael King, a crustacean specialist at the South Australian Museum, explained, this phenomenon is entirely natural. “They’re out there in the open ocean, and you just don’t get to see them from where we are on shore so much. It’s really nice to be able to see them coming in like these,” she said.
According to King, the creatures make their homes in the open sea by attaching to floating objects such as driftwood, discarded fishing lines, and even buoys. They rely on the tides and currents to carry them through their habitat, often creating small floating ecosystems. When unusual weather or currents bring them ashore, these creatures offer beachgoers an unusual glimpse of deep-sea marine life.
To the untrained eye, goose barnacles look bizarre and unappetizing. However, their culinary reputation is another story altogether. Known in Spain as percebes, these crustaceans are considered a rare luxury and are priced accordingly. A single kilo of these barnacles can easily fetch hundreds of dollars, and the cost is largely attributed to the effort required to harvest them.
Native to the rugged coastlines of Spain and Portugal, goose barnacles thrive where waves crash against rocky shores, making harvesting extremely dangerous. The high-risk work often involves scaling sharp, slippery rocks and diving into frigid waters, especially during low tide when the barnacles are briefly exposed. According to the Brown Trading Company, a U.S.-based seafood distributor, some barnacles can be harvested by hand, while others require divers armed with pry bars.
“This isn’t a task for the faint-hearted,” explains the Brown Trading Company. “Harvesting percebes is a difficult and dangerous feat.” The barnacles are hand-harvested in select regions, which significantly restricts supply and drives prices up.
Goose barnacles offer a taste profile that keeps seafood enthusiasts intrigued. The edible flesh has a dragon-claw shape, and when boiled or steamed, has been described as a cross between lobster and clam. This briny, slightly sweet flavor has made it a staple in many gourmet seafood dishes.
Chefs worldwide value goose barnacles for their distinct flavor and texture, which can add a complex element to a variety of dishes. While often enjoyed on their own with minimal seasoning—such as garlic butter or a squeeze of lemon—the meat is also versatile. It can be added to soups, chowders, and pastas or dressed up with more elaborate accompaniments like sherry cream sauce or wild greens.
For a more traditional preparation, some chefs prefer to blanch the barnacles quickly, removing the outer skin to reveal the delicate meat inside. This process reduces the saltiness while preserving the barnacle’s characteristic sweetness, enhancing its appeal to the culinary elite.
While their taste may be celebrated, goose barnacles play an essential role in ocean ecosystems. By attaching themselves to floating debris, they serve as both habitat and a potential food source for various marine species, effectively creating miniature ecosystems that drift along ocean currents. Dr. King notes that these floating clusters also facilitate the spread of other marine species, including some invasive ones.
“They attach themselves to something, and they stay there their whole life,” Dr. King said. “They’re more related to crabs and shrimp than they are to cockles or pippies.” Once anchored, these barnacles provide structure in otherwise open waters, offering shelter to small fish and invertebrates.
The downside to this ecosystem-building is that these floating colonies can carry invasive species to new locations. When barnacles travel long distances, they can transport species like small crabs, mollusks, or algae across oceans, introducing them to environments where they could disrupt local ecosystems.
The appearance of goose barnacles on beaches often correlates with changes in currents, wind patterns, or storms, which can drive floating debris—and the barnacles that cling to them—toward shore. Coastal experts say this phenomenon is not a cause for alarm but rather a reminder of the complex interactions between marine life and oceanic conditions.
According to the Waverley Council, which oversees Bondi Beach, the goose barnacles were likely carried in by shifts in ocean currents. “They are often found washed onto shore depending on winds and currents,” a council spokesperson said. Changes in ocean temperature, storm activity, and even man-made influences like shipping traffic can all contribute to these sporadic beachings.
Interestingly, the barnacles on Bondi appeared darker than those found on South Australian beaches, and Dr. King suspects this color difference is due to sun exposure. “When they’ve been exposed [to the sun], they go darker,” she noted, adding that barnacles fresh from the sea are more translucent and vibrant in appearance.
While beachgoers in Australia are lucky to witness these strange creatures up close, the future is bleak for the beached barnacles. Without the constant movement and nutrients of the open ocean, their survival prospects are slim. “Unfortunately, these animals won’t survive because they’re supposed to be out there, floating on debris, living their best lives,” Dr. King explained.
Back in their natural habitat, goose barnacles depend on a constant flow of water to bring them plankton and other small organisms to feed on. Once stranded on the shore, their food supply dwindles, and exposure to sun and air accelerates their death.
Despite their likely fate, the washed-up barnacles have sparked excitement among locals and marine biologists alike, offering a rare glimpse into the secretive world of these open-ocean travelers. For beachgoers, the goose barnacles have provided a sense of wonder and novelty. For scientists, each stranding event offers a valuable opportunity to learn more about the species and the dynamic factors influencing their movements.
Goose barnacles remind us of the many mysteries still held by the ocean. They live out of sight for most people, floating through the open sea, yet they play a vital role in marine ecosystems. Their ability to cling to moving objects and adapt to a transient life in the vast ocean demonstrates the adaptability and resilience of marine life.
As beachgoers marvel at their strange beauty, it’s a chance to reflect on the fragility and interconnectedness of our oceans. Ocean debris, whether natural or man-made, carries a variety of organisms across enormous distances, helping some species to survive and others to spread. But it also serves as a reminder of the human impact on marine life—many of the objects these barnacles latch onto are the result of pollution.
