Associated Press : “Florida Balloon Ban: Protecting Marine Life”

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By Associated Press June 27, 2024 5:30 am

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TALLAHASSEE, FL (AP) — In a bid to protect sea turtles, marine birds, and children under 7 years old, Florida has implemented a new law that prohibits the intentional release of balloons.

The legislation, which was signed into law by Republican Governor Ron DeSantis on Monday, supersedes the previous ban on releasing ten or more balloons within 24 hours. The bipartisan bill, approved by the Legislature in March, has been hailed by environmentalists for its proactive approach to safeguarding marine life.

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According to Hunter Miller, a Florida representative of the Washington-based environmental group Oceana, balloons pose a significant threat to ocean wildlife, with balloon debris being one of the deadliest forms of plastic pollution for seabirds.

Under the new law, children under 7 years old are exempt from penalties. Individuals found intentionally releasing a single balloon can face a fine of $150 for littering. The legislation also eliminates the previous exemption for biodegradable balloons. Governor DeSantis signed the bill in private without issuing a public statement.

A report prepared for lawmakers highlights the prevalence of balloon releases at various events, including weddings, funerals, sporting events, graduations, and celebrations.

data-image-title=\”Balloon release ban\” data-image-description=\”\” data-image-caption=\”<p>The bill was widely supported by ocean conservation groups who point to marine debris as a growing problem as millions of pounds of plastic enter Earth’s oceans each year. Courtesy: Canva Pro</p> \”
data-medium-file=\”https://352today.sagacom.com/files/2024/06/Balloon-release-ban-640×480.jpg\” data-large-file=\”https://352today.sagacom.com/files/2024/06/Balloon-release-ban-1200×768.jpg\” class=\”size-large wp-image-27608\” alt=\”\” width=\”652\” height=\”417\”/>

The movement against balloon releases aligns with previous efforts to reduce plastic waste, such as restrictions on plastic bags and straws. Notably, the Florida Legislature has previously blocked local governments from enacting bans on plastic bags. In 2019, Governor DeSantis vetoed a bill that would have temporarily prohibited local governments from outlawing plastic straws.

Given Florida’s geographic layout as a peninsula with extensive coastlines along the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico, released balloons can drift long distances due to winds and currents. Once deflated, these balloons pose a serious threat to marine life, with sea turtles often mistaking them for jellyfish, and other animals like birds, manatees, and whales ingesting them, leading to digestive issues and starvation.

According to the legislative analysis, balloon litter in water bodies affects over 260 species globally, making it one of the most hazardous types of marine debris for wildlife. The entanglement of animals in balloon strings further exacerbates the issue.