COASSTer Rick found this biofouled item during his survey of Moore Creek South (Oregon) in September. If you know what it is, share your thoughts in the comments or by e-mailing coasst@uw.edu.
Here’s Rick’s description: “A cylinder with a rounded bottom and a detachable top. Length is 16cm; lid is 4cm tall; diameter is 7cm. Material is thick (4mm) translucent plastic. A set of 3 vertical holes on the four sides with a hole in the top and bottom. Has two attachment points on one side.”
Top view
Side view B
Side view A
Bait holder?
Interesting! It reminds me of a bait container that you would secure in a cab or prawn pot… But I’ve never seen one exactly that shape.
some kind of float: sump pump, fuel tank…
Bait box?
I think the other commenters are correct. It’s lkely a bait box for a crab pot. You could take it to a commercial marine gear store and ask
Dungeness Crab bait jar, unfortunately way too many wash ashore
Dungeness Crab bait jar, they are placed inside the crab pot with bait (usually squid). Unfortunately many wash ashore.
We found one of those on Old Home Beach (Trinidad Lighthouse South) this fall as well.Ours also had long metal rod passing through it, with a hook on one end. Definitely crab pots offshore!