Durham Biodiversity Partnership and the Marine Conservation Society are working with a number of landowners in the North East to bring an end to balloon releases in the region.
Balloon releases are often used as a method of fund raising for charities, schools and local groups and it is acknowledged that they can play an important part in raising money for these bodies. However there is a widespread environmental impact of balloon releases. The Marine Conservation Society encourages the use of balloons for fun and publicity without their being released, through their ‘Don’t Let Go!’ campaign.
On release, most balloons will float up to a height of approximately 5 miles where pressure and temperature will cause the balloon to burst with small fragments floating back to ground or sea. However up to 10% of released balloons do not burst, and return to the ground in tact where they can pose a serious threat to wildlife.
Even biodegradable balloons have killed marine species such as dolphins, whales, turtles and seabirds. Animals accidentally eat balloons, mistaking them for food. Turtles are particularly at risk as they can easily confuse balloons with their jellyfish prey. Once ingested, balloons block digestive systems and can cause animals to starve. Wildlife can also become entangled in balloon ribbons and string, restricting their movement and their ability to feed.
Durham Biodiversity Partnership celebrated the 10th anniversary of the launch of the first Durham Biodiversity Action Plan at a free Nature Festival at Saltwell Park, Gateshead last week.
To show their commitment to work towards stopping balloon releases in the Durham Biodiversity Action Plan area, several organisations were present at the Festival to sign a pledge of action. This included South Tyneside Council, Gateshead Council, Durham Wildlife Trust, the Environment Agency and Natural England.
It is hoped that this pledge will go a large way towards stopping the practice of balloon releases in our region and raise awareness of the impact that such releases have on our wildlife.
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