23 Aug
On the 4th of July this year, I had the privilege of tagging along for a quick run out to the
Bahamas for some fishing.
I’m not exaggerating to say it was one of my favorite days with a gorgeous sunrise, flat seas, birds to follow, good music and laughter and returning with some big yellowfin on ice. Yes indeed, it was a incredible way to celebrate the blessings and our freedoms.
Upon the return, we spotted several unusual floating items to which were discarded helium balloons.
As the old floating foiled discoveries became more frequent we began to get more agitated realizing that these items serve no real purpose other than to decorate a celebratory moment in time.
I am confident my fellow boaters and anglers agree, it’s time to rethink the helium balloon celebration accoutrements.
What floats up does come down.
Helium balloons are contributing to ocean trash when they are released into the air and eventually end up in bodies of water. When balloons are released, they travel long distances before deflating and falling back to the ground or water. Once in the ocean, they obviously pose a threat to marine life.
Like plastic trash, helium balloons often end up floating in the ocean and look similar to a jellyfish (turtle food). The balloons are obviously a very unhealthy meal for a hungry sea turtle, and it can lead to blockages in their digestive systems, causing injury or even death
How smart was this graduate ?
Additionally, the balloon strings, ribbons and the all-too-common plastic bags can entangle marine animals, leading to injuries or drowning.
I have to say, this sweet quinceañera photo shoot I witnessed in Ft. Pierce, Florida was simply lovely with no balloons!!
Take Action!
- Think twice before releasing helium balloons into the sky at your next celebration, especially near the coast.
- Take a moment to collect the floating balloons from the beautiful blue ocean waters. Doing so might bring you some good luck when fishing!
- If you know of a group planning a balloon release, ask them to consider another attention getter!
- The more we communicate the consequences of balloon releases, the better chances of lessening the problem. For example, Advocate where your kids or grandkids go to school.
- To mitigate the impact of helium balloons on ocean trash, it is important to avoid releasing them into the air. Instead, they should be properly disposed of in designated waste bins.
