Barnacles are marine animals that live along the coast of Vigo and in the region of Galicia. There are about 1,000 different species of barnacles but in Galicia only one type matters, goose barnacles. This type of barnacle plays a role in Galicia's economy. In Galicia, barnacles are a delicacy. In 2013, a kilogram of pecebres (barnacles) was valued at around 30 euros. The fishing of barnacles contributes to the 400 million euro fishing industry. Likewise, this relatively small animal has a huge impact on Galicia's marine ecosystem. Since barnacles basically have two life cycles, they influence several communities within the ecosystem.
Depending on the stage of its growth, the appearance of a barnacle will vary. Barnacles experience two stages. For about two weeks, barnacles in their early life are in the nauplius stage. During this stage, they are plankton. You most likely have never seen plankton since plankton are too small to be seen by the naked eye.
As a barnacle becomes an adult, it develops a protective layer shielding its body from the outside. Unlike in its nauplius stage, as the barnacle matures, it will lose locomotion. As plankton, the barnacle was essentially a drifter, but as an adult, the barnacle will settle in one place permanently.
