Common Name:
Goose Barnacle
Scientific Name:
Pollicipes pollicipes (Gmelin, 1791)
Reproduction Period:
Spring to Summer
(peak between May and August, depending on the region)
Harvesting Areas:
Rocky shores exposed to high tide along the Portuguese Atlantic coast, particularly in areas with strong wave action.
Packaging:
Bioline mesh
1 kg, 2 kg or 5 kg bags
Sizes:
Small
Medium
Large
The goose barnacle is a cirripede crustacean with brownish or greenish colouring, featuring an elongated body covered by calcareous plates and a muscular stalk that firmly anchors it to rocks. Each specimen has an adhesive base and several articulated peduncles supporting the upper capsule, where the edible meat is found.
It inhabits coastal areas with heavy wave action, attaching itself to rocks and other hard surfaces. It feeds by filtering plankton and suspended organic matter from the water. Goose barnacles are highly prized in Portuguese gastronomy for their intense, distinctive flavour — deeply evocative of the sea — and for their firm, succulent texture. They are mainly consumed boiled, standing out in traditional dishes that highlight their authentic character and the fresh taste of the Atlantic coast.
