The Truth About Balloons and Marine Animals
Discover why balloons—latex or mylar—are deadly to marine animals, seabirds, and ecosystems. Learn how ingestion and entanglement happen, and what alternatives help protect ocean life.
PRESERVING OUR GREAT LAKES AND OCEANS
The Truth About Balloons and Marine Animals
Balloons Always Return—and Often End Up in the Ocean
What goes up must come down—and balloons are no exception. Whether glittering foil or colorful latex, released balloons can drift miles before landing in rivers, beaches, or open ocean. Many then degrade or fragment for months in saltwater, remaining dangerous long after their celebrations end.
Why Balloons Pose Such a Hazard
Sea turtles and seabirds commonly mistake balloon fragments for jellyfish or fish eggs. Even small bits can cause fatal blockages in their digestive systems. A study revealed balloon fragments are 32 times deadlier than other plastic items for seabirds.
Additionally, trailing ribbons or strings can entangle marine animals—limiting movement, causing wounds, or leading to starvation. These debris types are often more lethal than the balloon itself.
Wildlife Gets Caught in Tragic Ways
Seabirds, sea turtles, dolphins, seals, whales, and fish may end up caught in balloon strings or drowning after ingesting balloon pieces. One weather balloon incident in Brazil resulted in an albatross so badly entangled that euthanasia was the only option.([turn0search5])
Globally, balloons account for a significant portion of debris found alive or dead on beaches, with many cases involving entanglement or ingestion.
Not All Balloons Are Harmless—Even “Biodegradable” Ones
Though often marketed as eco-friendly, latex balloons—even labeled biodegradable—can take months or up to a year to decompose in marine environments. Mylar balloons made with plastic and metal don’t readily degrade at all. During that time, they can be ingested by or entangle marine animals.
Even lightweight balloon strings sink slowly but remain strong enough to snare moving creatures, ultimately causing harm.
Actions That Can Make a Difference
Some regions and municipalities have responded with bans or regulation of balloon releases. California beach cities like Laguna Beach now prohibit public use and sales of balloons to reduce coastal pollution and risks to wildlife. In New South Wales, Australia, proposed laws seek to ban even a single balloon release, with fines of over AUD 1,100.
Volunteer groups, divers, and fishermen have also taken action—collecting balloons from waterways and cleaning beaches to prevent entanglement and ingestion risks.
What You Can Do Instead
Skip balloon releases entirely—even biodegradable options are problematic.
Attend events with alternatives—like lighting candles, floating bubbles, planting seeds, or using reusable decorations.
Clean up balloon debris if you spot it on beaches or ocean—every piece helps.
Educate others: share these impacts with family, friends, and communities.
Happy and safe diving,
The ScubaBlast Team
Marine Debris Program (NOAA). (n.d.). Be Balloon Aware! Why balloons pose deadly risk to marine life. Retrieved from https://blog.marinedebris.noaa.gov/tags/balloons
Ocean Conservancy. (2012, August 29). High‑flying balloons pose a definite downside for ocean wildlife. Retrieved from https://oceanconservancy.org/blog/2012/08/29/high-flying-balloons-pose-a-definite-downside-for-ocean-wildlife/
GreenMe. (2024, June 20). The devastating impact of balloons on marine life. Retrieved from https://www.greenmemag.com/environment/the-devastating-impact-of-balloons-on-marine-life/
Smithsonian / Hakai Magazine. (2023, Fall). Here’s How Weather Balloons Can Harm Marine Animals. Retrieved from https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/heres-how-weather-balloons-can-harm-marine-animals-180985276/
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Balloon release. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balloon_release
Wikipedia. (2025, month?). Weather balloon – environmental issues. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weather_balloon
Reddit user comments. (2020–2024). Various. Retrieved from Reddit threads on balloon pollution and wildlife impact
Associated Press. (2023, February). Laguna Beach bans balloon use on public property to protect coast. Retrieved from https://news.com.au/national/nsw-act/politics/nsw-greens-mp-kobi-shetty-calls-for-statewide-helium-balloon-ban
NSW legislation. (2024, June 6). Balloon act that could soon cost you $1100 in environmental regulations. Retrieved from https://news.com.au/national/nsw-act/politics/nsw-greens-mp-kobi-shetty-calls-for-statewide-helium-balloon-ban