Florida Criminalizes “Intentional Release” Of Balloons

The Associated Press reports:

Sea turtles and marine birds will be protected under a new Florida law that bans the intentional release of balloons. The law, signed by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, replaces an existing ban of releasing ten or more balloons within 24 hours.

The Legislature approved the bill with bipartisan support in March and the law is praised by environmentalists. The law will exempt children under 7. Anyone else can be fined for littering for intentionally releasing a single balloon.

“Balloons rank among the deadliest ocean plastic for key wildlife and are the deadliest form of plastic debris for seabirds. Florida’s new law will help save ocean animals from these preventable deaths,” said Hunter Miller, a Florida representative of the Washington-based environmental group Oceana.

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🎉VICTORY!🎉

It is now illegal in Florida to intentionally release balloons into the sky.

This is a major win for our ocean, marine animals and ecosystems, coastal communities and the entire Sunshine State.

Read our statement.👇🎈https://t.co/GQOK2tCDju pic.twitter.com/FdA2QBXhPN

— Ocean Conservancy (@OurOcean) June 25, 2024