Lepadidae barnacles, commonly known as goose barnacles, are a family of stalked barnacles found attached to floating objects in oceans worldwide. These filter-feeding crustaceans are considered a delicacy in several countries, particularly in parts of Europe. The top fishing countries for Lepadidae barnacles not elsewhere included—meaning species outside the most commonly reported—are primarily Spain and Portugal, where the barnacles, known locally as "percebes," are highly prized and harvested along rocky Atlantic coasts. Smaller fisheries also exist in Morocco and parts of France, where traditional hand-gathering methods are used to collect these barnacles from dangerous, wave-battered shorelines. The industry is tightly regulated due to the ecological sensitivity of barnacle habitats and the high demand, which can drive prices to extraordinary levels in local markets and upscale restaurants.
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Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.