Jay, the ones I saw last night on TV were EXACTLY the same as the one in Jolana's picture: black buoys, attached to black fishing nets. Even the shape of the buoy was the same. I cannot give you a reason why or for what specific reason fishers use black nets and buoys (disguising during night?) . If the metal is hollow, it will float.

Of course, it is your right to disagree.

@ Mutisia !!! Dang, I was getting excited!!! Maybe it is a buoy from an old pirate ship ,

Oh, we cross posted, cooool
Do you remember what show it was, not that it matters
Thank you

I agree with @Horntoad; we had ruled out trawl floats with ears for the simple fact that the unidentified item will not float...it's hollow, it's made of metal with some type of coating (rubber or plastic).
Best to keep searching for the true identity of the item and not assume that something with a similar shape is the same item. The floats are a solid material that floats and are almost always a bright, highly visible color.
Let's not mark this solved just yet.

Edited to add:
Someone said that if it is metal and hollow it will float. I strongly disagree. Have you ever been sitting in a metal boat that filled with water...believe me; a hollow metal item once filled with water will most definitely not float.

I missed where you said they are black in your first post. After searching I agree that it is probably used on fishnets. Although none of the photos I found show them with open top or even a way they can be opened. Since it is metal and open, I'm thinking maybe the one in Jolana's picture might be the weights used on the bottom of the net, rather than a float.

Jolana, I'm in South America and do a lot of zapping during the news ..... sorry.

Greene, I will not comment on your remarks, just ask you to check the picture in Jolana's first post. She's holding the object with one finger!

Beach litter: black buoys at the left side:
http://greensangha.org/images/...

Two black buoys at the top left:
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Tqn2...

Maybe those who still doubt, should send Jolana's picture to:
http://greensangha.org/tag/lit...
and ask them to please identify the object.

ShadyGreenThumb said:Does it float by chance? Might be a huge fishing net float?

I just wanted to point out that that was my first guess.

ShadyGreenThumb said:

I just wanted to point out that that was my first guess.

Not just your first guess but "the" first guess.

A few more links:

http://www.coastsavers.org/

http://photos1.blogger.com/blo...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...

Your guess seems to be right, don't you think so, Cheryl?

I say it's a Trawl float and Cheryl called it right from the start.

@Jolana Do you have access to a pool? Toss it in.

- But what about the hole in the top?

Yes, Cheryl made the right guess and I provided the proof. Team work!

Porkpal, I cannot answer your question, just speculate, so I suggest you submit Jolana's picture to those great beach litter cleaners that will surely give the right answer.

The way I understood the hole in the top, it wasn't open to the interior of the thing, more of an "indentation." (although I admit I could be wrong about that...)

Or maybe, if it does go to the interior, it's a float that someone, somewhere, modified at some time...

I think you are right Ursula (and Cheryl!).

porkpal said:- But what about the hole in the top?

My suggestion a few post back was that since it is metal and open then it may be a weight for the bottom of the net rather than a float for the top.

Horntoad said:

My suggestion a few post back was that since it is metal and open then it may be a weight for the bottom of the net rather than a float for the top.

or that!

Horntoad said:

My suggestion a few post back was that since it is metal and open then it may be a weight for the bottom of the net rather than a float for the top.

That's why I said Jolana should toss it in a pool. You'll find out then. I might say that these "floats" are used at differing levels, differing depths of the water. There are different sizes, weighing differing weights depending on what the trawler is going after & where they will be fishing. This could very well be a float or a "sinker" as it were and the depression in the center is part of the design to keep it bobbing at a certain level.

The 'sinker' makes more sense to me, too Jay. It sure doesn't look like it would float at all, and should be a bright color or white if it was a float.

Must have a big hollow in the middle if Jolana was going to use it as a planter.