The giant barnacle (Balanus nubilus), one of the largest barnacle species, is a filter-feeding crustacean found primarily along the Pacific coasts of North America, from Alaska to California. Unlike finfish, giant barnacles are sessile shellfish that attach themselves to rocks, piers, and ship hulls in intertidal and subtidal zones. Though not widely targeted on an industrial scale, they are harvested locally for food, particularly in regions where barnacles are considered a delicacy, such as Spain and Portugal, which import barnacles from various sources, including North America. The United States and Canada are the main countries where giant barnacle harvesting occurs, primarily in small-scale fisheries along the Pacific Northwest. In these regions, barnacles are collected by hand or with simple tools during low tide. While the overall fishing industry for giant barnacles is relatively minor compared to other shellfish, it supports niche markets and contributes to local coastal economies.
| Rank | Country | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chile | 336 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.