It seems more likely that these have been attached to a buoy/rig or similar structure and their occurance is mentioned in this extract from a report.
Megabalanus coccopoma: This species proved to be already present on buoys off the Dutch
coast (off Terschelling) in 1976 and 1977 but was apparently not properly recognised. From
1997 on this species has been found each year in the southern bight of the North Sea, mainly
on buoys but also on floating objects and even in the littoral zone. The continuos and
increasing findings along the Belgian and Dutch coast prove that it is well established in this
region of the North Sea.
A small number have again washed up in July 2009.
Invasion History:
Megabalanus coccopoma is native to the eastern Pacific, historically known to occur from Baja California (occassionally as far north as San Diego) through Central and South America southern Equador.
M. coccopoma was reported as a non-native species established in southern Brazil in the late 1980s and along the coast of Belgium in 2002 (Newman and McConnaughey 1987, Kerckhof 2002). The species was found in Louisiana in 2002, and from Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina in 2006.
Ship hull fouling and ballast water transport are the most probable introduction vectors.
Potential to Compete With Natives:
If Megabalanus coccopoma begins to occur in consistently large numbers within its non-native range in Florida and elsewhere, it would be expected to compete with other intertidal hardbottom organisms for space and also possibly with a variety of filter-feeding animals for food.
Young (1994) suggests M. coccopoma, now established along southern Brazil, may outcompete the native congeneric barnacle, M. tintinnabulum.
Possible Economic Consequences of Invasion:
Boat hulls props, and drive shafts, coastal navigation buoys, and other submerged man-made hard surfaces are readily colonized by settling Megabalanus coccopoma (Kerckhof, 2002). If the species becomes established, costs associated with removing animals from such structures may be significant.
Factors such as gregarious settlement, rapid growth, and large size suggest M. coccopoma has the potential to become an economically important nuisance species in Florida.
I believe these to be
Megabalanus coccopoma Titan Acorn Barnacle
The colorful pink Titan Acorn Barnacle has become increasingly common on the beaches of northeast Florida since early 2006. This invasive species, which can grow to an impressive size of over two inches in height and width, is native to the western coast of the Americas from California to Ecuador but has now spread to both the Gulf of Mexico and the U. S. Eastern Seaboard. The species was first documented in northeast Florida on 9/24/2004 when a large dead specimen was found in the wrack line at Big Talbot Island State Park following the passing of Hurricane Jeanne
These were thought to have come from the Centrica Barge, having attached in tropical waters and been scoured from the base when the barge made landings at Winthorpe. In December 2008 a further number washed up this time in small groups that showed no evidence of crushing and with specs of paint on the base which were bright blue and yellow.
