Beach litter surveys indicate that the number of balloons and balloon pieces found on the beach have tripled in the past 10 years. And the volunteers who regularly clean up our Camden County marshes, streams and rivers – as well as the marsh and beach of Cumberland Island National Seashore – can attest to that fact.
Balloon releases are simply organized littering…with a devastating cost to our fragile coastal environment. It's not enough that Camden County already has general littering ordinances: we need specific laws that ban balloon releases.
Even balloons marketed as biodegradable or "eco-friendly" can still take years to disintegrate, meaning they're not any better for the environment than standard balloons.
Dolphins, whales, turtles, and many other marine species, as well as terrestrial animals are hurt or killed by balloons every day. With the balloon blocking its digestive tract, the animal is unable to consume any nutrients. It then dies a slow and agonizing death from starvation. The animals can also become entangled in the balloons and ribbons, making the animal unable to move or eat.
Sea turtles are particularly at risk because they naturally prey on jellies and often mistake balloons for their favorite food source. This is of great concern along our coast and, in particular, the waters along Cumberland Island; loggerhead sea turtle nesting grounds.
Some counties and states have enacted laws regarding the release of balloons.
Please add your voice to those who are asking the Camden County Georgia Commissioners to BAN BALLOON RELEASES in our area.
