Marine debris poses a massive threat to all marine life. Globally it is estimated that 100,000 marine mammals and turtles and 1 million sea birds die every year from ingesting or becoming entangled in marine debris. These animals die horrible deaths as their stomachs become blocked with indigestible plastic or they lose limbs due to constricting plastic collars and fishing line.

Remember, all of these deaths could be prevented if everyone disposed of rubbish items correctly.

Sea Turtle Foundation is working to reduce the amount of rubbish in our waterways through lobbying and community action:

• Working with land managers including local councils to have pollutant traps placed over stormwater drains
• Lobbying government for tighter controls
• Raising awareness amongst community members and businesses
• Working with other organisations to clean up our local area
• Membership of A-FACT (Alliance For A Cleaner Townsville)

Read more about the harmful impacts of marine debris here.

Sea Turtle Foundation would like to see a ban on 2 major sources of marine debris: free plastic shopping bags and mass balloon releases.

Plastic bags

Plastic bags are devastating marine wildlife who ingest them by mistake or become entangled. A look at the numbers reveals the extent of the problem. Australians use almost 4 billion plastic shopping bags – and drop 50 million of them as litter – every year. Additionally 1000s more are blown from landfill sites into waterways and the ocean.

Sea Turtle Foundation is calling for a ban on free plastic bags. The South Australian government has banned the use of free lightweight plastic bags, Sea Turtle Foundation calls on all other Australian states and territories to follow South Australia’s lead.

Read more about the devastating impact of plastic bags on sea turtles here.

Balloon releases

Hundreds of balloons ascending into the sky can be an amazing sight. However people seldom think what happens to all those balloons once they return to earth. Few people realise that a balloon release that is over in a matter of minutes, leaves a legacy that remains for months, if not years.

Balloon litter floating at sea can be deadly for many animals. Sea turtles are particularly at risk as they mistake deflated balloons for their jellyfish food. Swallowed balloons block their gut and lead to death by starvation. Entanglement and subsequent drowning for baby turtles is an added risk. These risks also affect other marine wildlife like seabirds, dolphins and fish.

Most balloons are made from ‘biodegradable’ latex, which degrades on exposure to air. However degradation can take up to six months and balloons floating in seawater can take up to twelve months to degrade.

Balloon releases have been banned in many places, including New South Wales in Australia, Plymouth City and Lancaster in the UK and Florida, California and Texas in the USA.

Sea Turtle Foundation is calling for a total ban of balloon releases worldwide.

Turtle friendly balloon activities

A ban on balloon releases does not mean a ban on balloons. Just that we are more careful about how we dispose of them. Try these turtle friendly balloon activities at your next event:

• Secure release: secure balloons to the ground with long strings and let them go as planned. The balloons will make a nice display that people can enjoy for a longer time. Give the balloons to kids when they go home, but make sure they know not to let them go!
• Balloon competition: fill a car or container with balloons and run a competition to guess how many balloons are inside.
• Prize balloon popping: hide prize tickets inside inflated balloons and have people pop the balloons to find the tickets.
• Balloon artist: hire a balloon artist to make shapes and animals out of balloons.

Tips on the safe use of balloons:

• Securely tie any balloons used outside so they cannot drift away.
• Use natural rubber latex balloons rather than mylar (foil) balloons.
• Fill balloons with air or water rather than helium.
• Tie balloons using natural string rather than using plastic string or plastic clips – all plastics are dangerous once in the environment.