Biologists call for balloon ban

kielder · #1 (**permalink**) 13-06-2008, 04:13 PM

"Marine conservationists are calling for a ban on mass balloon releases because birds and mammals are dying from eating discarded balloons."

BBC NEWS | UK | Biologists call for balloon ban

Lincs Yellowbelly · #2 (**permalink**) 13-06-2008, 04:16 PM

Good, its akin to mass littering

kielder · #3 (**permalink**) 13-06-2008, 04:18 PM

I can't see the point of letting balloons go on purpose!

witham · #4 (**permalink**) 18-06-2008, 11:21 AM

I was disappointed when our local Country Show released over 1,000 into the air a few weeks ago, I would have thought they would have known better. it's the Lincolnshire Show for the next two days so lets see if any more go up. I also thought Kate might have mentioned the danger on her Springwatch Marine Show on Monday night, she touched on other waste products causing harm to marine life but not balloons.

NikkiStar · #5 (**permalink**) 18-06-2008, 03:44 PM

It should have been banned years ago...

WolvesxRxBeauty · #6 (**permalink**) 18-06-2008, 07:40 PM

The problem is people don't think about it. All they see is the bright colours flying higher then us on the ground could ever go. But maybe now that more attention is being drawn to the problem it's causing something will be done about it!

Alice

Wild-Woman · #7 (**permalink**) 19-06-2008, 03:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WolvesxRxBeauty

The problem is people don't think about it. All they see is the bright colours flying higher then us on the ground could ever go. But maybe now that more attention is being drawn to the problem it's causing something will be done about it!

Alice

Yes-I think it's a case of making folk aware of the problem. Hopefully it will deter them then.

ChrisJB · #8 (**permalink**) 19-06-2008, 02:15 PM

Good! It's just more mess.

Regards, Chris

Amelia Bridges · #9 (**permalink**) 01-11-2008, 02:44 PM

The main problem with letting balloons go is that if or when they fall into the sea marine creatures will try to eat them but they wont digest them, it normally ends up killing them though.
The main problem is turtles, they have an extremely spiky throat because there main food is jelllyfish so it helps the turtle to swallow the jellyfish and not let it get away. The problem is when turtles see balloons or plastic bags floating in the water, they think it's a jellyfish and they swallow it and it ends up getting caught on the spike in their throat and choking them.

aeshna5 · #10 (**permalink**) 01-11-2008, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amelia Bridges

The main problem with letting balloons go is that if or when they fall into the sea marine creatures will try to eat them but they wont digest them, it normally ends up killing them though.
The main problem is turtles, they have an extremely spiky throat because there main food is jelllyfish so it helps the turtle to swallow the jellyfish and not let it get away. The problem is when turtles see balloons or plastic bags floating in the water, they think it's a jellyfish and they swallow it and it ends up getting caught on the spike in their throat and choking them.

Agree that this is probably the worst side effect of balloons- the effect on marine life- turtles, cetaceans + seabirds amongst others. Education into the disastrous consequences of balloons has to be a major step forward.