Bubbles to burst balloon problem on Port Phillip beaches
PEOPLE are being urged to swap balloons for bubbles to save Port Phillip Bay’s vulnerable marine wildlife.
Inner South
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WILDLIFE deaths from plastic pollution have surged around Port Phillip Bay, prompting calls for people to “swap balloons for bubbles”.
Port Phillip councillors has thrown their support behind an education campaign, spearheaded by Zoos Victoria, urging people to stop releasing balloons into the sky.
New data has revealed 743 balloons and balloon strings were found on a 35m stretch of Port Melbourne beach in the past 12 months.
Beach Patrol Australia vice-president and Port Melbourne group leader Ross Headifen told Leader up to 30 balloons a day were picked up along that stretch of beach during February.
And balloon debris had strangled and choked birds and marine wildlife, Mr Headifen said.
“Balloons and their attachments are one of the most identifiable forms of marine debris being ingested by (wildlife),” he said.
“People may not realise when balloons are used outdoors they could end up in waterways and oceans, harming wildlife.”
Mr Headifen said industry claims balloons were biodegradable were “a con”.
“They’re commonly made of latex … saying they’re biodegradable, that concept makes people think its like orange or apple peel,” he said.
Mr Headifen urged schools and community groups to “blow bubbles or wave flags” in celebration, instead of releasing balloons outdoors.
The idea of banning balloons at outdoor events has been widely floated across the globe, most recently after a horse in North Yorkshire choked on a balloon that had landed in her paddock last month, causing her to panic and crash through a gate and break two legs and her neck.
Mayor Bernadene Voss said the council hoped to reduce balloon waste through education, rather than an enforced ban.
“We are not sending out council officers to fine people,” she said.
“(But) we will set an example by not allowing any balloons (helium or non-helium) at functions and festivals directly delivered by council.”
Councillors agreed to review event permit and grant application conditions to ensure balloons were not used at large events within Port Phillip.
Flags, bunting, candles and tree plantings were other ways to commemorate or celebrate an event without putting wildlife at risk of death, Cr Voss said.
Cr Dick Gross said marine life was “under attack from litter” and raising awareness of this was an “urgent and important” issue.
“Balloons seem so benign, seem so happy but bubbles are great!,” he said.
Details: zoo.org.au/balloons
BY THE NUMBERS
Plastics found along a 35m stretch of Port Melbourne beach between March 24, 2016 and March 24, 2017.
14,404 wrappers
1434 straws
1192 plastic bags
1152 bottle tops
217 bottles/cans
Source: 3207 Beach Patrol