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Save Sea Turtles From Deadly Balloon Pollution

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Sponsor: Free The Ocean

Sea turtles are dying from balloon debris polluting our oceans—this crisis is preventable, but only if we act now to stop it. Let’s save marine life before it’s too late.

Sea turtles are dying from balloon debris polluting our oceans—this crisis is preventable, but only if we act now to stop it. Let’s save marine life before it’s too late.

Every year, thousands of weather balloons are launched into the sky. These balloons play an essential role in weather forecasting, helping predict storms and saving lives. But their role in our safety comes at a steep cost to marine wildlife. When weather balloons burst at high altitudes, their debris—latex, strings, and other materials—scatters into the ocean, posing a deadly threat to vulnerable species, especially sea turtles.

Sea turtles, including the critically endangered Kemp’s ridley, mistake balloon fragments for jellyfish, their primary food source. Ingesting these materials leads to digestive blockages, preventing turtles from absorbing nutrients and often resulting in death1. Juvenile turtles are particularly vulnerable, as their smaller bodies are less able to cope with the obstruction caused by these dangerous materials2.

The impact goes beyond ingestion. Balloon strings entangle turtles, rendering them immobile and helpless against predators. Once entangled, these turtles are unable to swim, feed, or escape threats. Many die slowly and painfully, a tragedy that is becoming increasingly common as balloon debris pollutes our oceans. Researchers have found balloon strings wrapped tightly around turtles’ necks and flippers, cutting into their flesh and restricting their movement3.

These threats are not hypothetical or rare—they are widespread. A 21-month study in Australia found more than 2,400 pieces of balloon debris around the Great Barrier Reef, with up to 70% of the country's weather balloons ending up in the ocean4. Similar findings have been reported in the United States, where balloon debris is regularly discovered along coastal regions, often near critical sea turtle habitats.

Why Action Is Needed Now

The dangers posed by weather balloons are not limited to sea turtles. Seabirds and other marine life are also affected. Albatrosses, with their wide wingspans, are often found tangled in balloon strings. In one heartbreaking case, a juvenile Atlantic yellow-nosed albatross was found in Brazil with balloon string cutting off circulation to its feet and wings. The bird, too weak to fly or swim, had to be euthanized5.

The scale of the problem is vast, yet largely invisible. Many of these animals die far from shore, their bodies never washing up to be counted. As a result, the true extent of the damage remains unknown, but experts agree it is far greater than the documented cases5.

Despite this growing crisis, there is hope. Some manufacturers are developing biodegradable materials for weather balloons, while others are exploring alternatives such as drones. But change has been slow, and the need for immediate action is urgent. We cannot wait for technology to catch up while sea turtles and other marine animals continue to suffer.

Your Voice Can Make a Difference

Governments and regulatory agencies have the power to reduce the environmental impact of weather balloons. By advocating for stricter regulations, better materials, and greater public awareness, we can protect vulnerable species from unnecessary harm. But we need your help to make this happen.

By signing the petition, you will call on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to take immediate steps to reduce balloon pollution in our oceans. Your voice matters, and together, we can ensure a better future for marine life.

Take Action Now

The stakes are high, and the time to act is now. Sea turtles and other marine animals are depending on us. Sign the petition today and help us protect the oceans from this preventable threat. Together, we can make a difference.

More on this issue:

  1. Madeline Salinas, 3News (11 July 2023), "NOAA weather balloons causing harm to sea turtles."
  2. AUTHOR, Environmental Health Network (15 October 2024), "Weather balloons threaten marine life after bursting."
  3. Ocean Conservation Society, (2024), "Be Balloon Aware."
  4. Dr. Emily Greenfield, Sigma Earth (13 October 2024), "Weather forecasting’s hidden impact on marine wildlife."
  5. Danielle Beurteaux, Hakai Magazine (11 October 2024), "Weather forecasting is deadly for marine wildlife."
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The Petition:

To the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), and the Assistant Administrator for Fisheries of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS),

We, the undersigned, call upon your leadership to address a growing environmental threat to our oceans and marine wildlife: balloon debris. While weather balloons and celebratory balloon releases may seem harmless, the reality is that their remnants are wreaking havoc on marine life, especially on threatened and endangered species like sea turtles and seabirds.

Every year, thousands of weather balloons burst at high altitudes, scattering debris into the oceans. Sea turtles, including the critically endangered Kemp's ridley, mistake this debris for food, leading to fatal digestive blockages. Others become entangled in balloon strings, rendering them unable to swim, feed, or escape predators. As more studies reveal, the scale of this threat is far greater than previously understood, with balloon fragments now recognized as one of the top marine pollutants.

The loss of these vulnerable species is not just an environmental crisis; it is an irreversible harm to biodiversity that affects the health of the oceans and human communities dependent on marine ecosystems. Time is running out, and swift, coordinated action across agencies is essential.

We respectfully urge NOAA, the EPA, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and NMFS to take immediate steps to mitigate the dangers posed by balloon debris by:

  1. Expanding research and monitoring programs on the impact of balloon debris on endangered marine species.
  2. Phasing out non-biodegradable materials in weather balloons in favor of sustainable alternatives.
  3. Implementing stricter regulations to reduce balloon waste in the oceans, including limits on balloon releases.
  4. Promoting public awareness campaigns on the dangers of balloon pollution to marine life.

By addressing these actions, your agencies can lead the way in protecting some of the ocean’s most vulnerable species from unnecessary harm. Through responsible innovation, regulation, and collaboration, we can reduce this preventable threat and ensure a better future for marine ecosystems, our biodiversity, and the generations that follow.

Sincerely,

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Signatures: