This container was found on the beach near Nelson Lagoon, Alaska. No letters or numbers, symbols or any other noticeable identifications. It turns out it is a special type of long term bait container used for crab fisheries.
Observation by Mark McNeley:
This container was found on the beach near Nelson Lagoon, Alaska. No letters or numbers, symbols or any other noticeable identifications. Overall 8.5in x 3.5in. One end looks to have an O-ring seal. The other end looks to be glued. It does not rattle, sloosh or leak. It is light in weight. It feels like its empty. There is a stretchable piece of hose with a small hook, and some short pieces of certain length bungee cord. I have not attempted to open it. I have done some searching online, but nothing comes up like this. Could you know what this is and what its for?
Updated 4-1-22:
The item was empty and relatively clean. About 1/3 teaspoon of what appears to be organic material. I would suggest barnacle fragments, but no barnacle scales left on inside of container. Top was not screw in, but tight fit PVC type cylinder slid into receptacle. O-ring is 3/16-1/4 diameter.
LEO Network Editor Comments:
We have reached out to marine science community in Alaska for their feedback and help with identification. LEO Network members are invited to help us with identification of the mystery container. If you have some feedback for us and Mark, just put it in the comments.
Comment by Frank Bahr, with the Woodshole Oceanographic Institute:
A colleague from Commercial Fisheries Research Foundation (cfrfoundation.org) found this:
I put it on the social media Facebook and got a few comments: "It’s a Longsoaker bait release container. It uses a GTR which dissolves over a set period of time, and opens once the GTR releases, opening the bait container and essentially rebaits the trap with “fresh” bait.
See website link:
LEO Network would like to say a special thank you to Gay Sheffield, Dean Stockwell, and the folks from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute and the Commercial Fisheries Research Foundation. We appreciate your help is solving this excellent puzzler!!
Unidentified container image 1
Unidentified container image 2
Mark McNeley
Unidentified container image 3
Mark McNeley
Unidentified container image 4 (opened)
Mark McNeley
Unidentified container image 5 (opened)
Mark McNeley