Balloon and lantern releases have long been used for charity and memorial events and sending balloons up into the sky can be an emotive and powerful gesture. However it is time things changed and people were educated about the cost these releases have on local wildlife and marine life.

10% of the balloons we release do not burst and return to the sea or land. Turtles mistake them for jellyfish and when consumed they can block their gut and cause starvation, a juvenille green turtle was washed up in Blackpool in 2001 after starvation for this very reason. Birds swallow them or become entangled in the string and plastic parts and can drown. Remains of latex balloons have been found in the digestive systems of the common dolphin, Risso's dolphin, the loggerhead turtle, the leatherback turtle, the blue shark and the Northern fulmar. Even so called 'biodegradable' balloons take months and more often several years to breakdown, even then materials still remain in the environment. It has been found that balloons floating in sea water take even longer to degrade than the those on land.

In a recent beach clean survey by the Marine Conservation Society they found 3 balloons for every kilometre of coast !

Many local and worldwide authorities have already banned balloon and lantern releases and we are asking Eastleigh Borough Council and Hampshire County Council to follow suit. Situated by the coast it is of even higher importance that we stop balloon and lantern releases.

We have a responsiblity to protect our local area and look after the wildlife and this needless pollution must stop.

https://www.facebook.com/noballoons