Brown Algae (Hydroclathrus clathratus)

A brown algae with a thallus (body) with multiple holes of varying sizes. The algae is said to grow to 10 cm in diameter. But in the one that was washed ashore it was a loose mesh like a woolen hair net. The whole mass was compressible and soft.
Found on the inter-tidal zone off Western Port Bay (Balnarring Beach). They are said to grow in the tidal zone.
Brown algae come in different forms and sizes from 45 mt giants to free floating mats. This species forms dense mats.