Balloons Pose Threat To Ocean City Marine Environment, Commission Warns

OCEAN CITY, NJ — The Ocean City Environmental Commission is raising awareness about the dangers releasing balloons can do to the environment. The commission recently created a flyer to promote awareness of the dangers of balloons released over the marine environment. The information will be shared through traditional media, social media, websites, at city events and city welcome centers.

Some points made by the flyer include:

• Dolphins, whales, turtles, seabirds and other animals have been killed by balloons;
• If swallowed, balloons can block an animal’s digestive tract and cause starvation;
• Animals can become entangled in balloon ribbons and string, restricting their movement and their ability to feed; and
• 10 percent of balloons that are released float back to the earth without bursting.

It goes on to ask residents and visitors not to let go of balloons outdoors, and to fill the balloons with air rather than helium.

Residents and visitors are asked to use balloons made of natural rubber latex instead of mylar (foil) balloons, and natural cotton string instead of plastic ribbon to tie them.

Finally, the commission recommends not using balloons as outside decorations in places like Ocean City, where wind and water are always nearby.

The commission will discuss the campaign during its next meeting on Tuesday, May 9, at the senior center, 6:30 p.m.

Advocates against releasing balloons into the air have visited Ocean City Council meetings for several months. Council has said it would consider a ban on mass releases, but isn’t looking to come after children who lose control of their balloons. It has also said public education on the issue should be considered, a step covered by the release of this flyer.

Four towns in Atlantic County recently enacted a ban on releasing balloons into the environment. These towns include Atlantic City, Ventnor, Longport and Margate, according to nj.com.

Patch file photo