Yachting USA – August 2019

C

CURRENTS> Balloon Bans

THE PARTY’S OVER

Celebratory balloon releases are being banned in an eff ort to keep the shredded remains from killing marine life.

by kim kavin

O

n the ocean conservancy’s list of trash

that kills seabirds, turtles and other marine life,

balloons rank No. 3, behind only fi shing gear and

plastic bags. The problem has gotten so bad that

some municipalities are now banning the release of balloons

at parties and events, much like how plastic bags are being

banned at grocery stores. ¶ Long Beach, New York, banned

balloon releases this past April. Citizens in Kennebunkport,

Maine, were scheduled to vote on a similar ordinance by the

time you read this. Even far-inland locations are facing scrutiny:

After the Indianapolis 500’s traditional balloon release in May,

more than 37,000 people signed a petition in protest. ¶ “This is

not only to try to save the oceans,” Long Beach Councilwoman

Anissa Moore told Newsday, “but all living things in the ocean.”

Aft er balloons take to the air at parties and events, animals can eat small pieces of the debris, causing sickness and death.

CLEARING

THE AIR

PROTECTING

THE

OCEANS

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