Aug 14 - GONHS Asks Chief Minister And SDGG To End National Day Balloon Release
The Gibraltar Ornithological & Natural History Society (GONHS) has written to the Chief Minister and the Self-Determination for Gibraltar Group in order to reiterate its opposition to the release of balloons as part of Gibraltar's National Day festivities.
GONHS has previously expressed its concerns about the environmental impact of such a massive balloon release, particularly its effect on the marine environment, where most balloons will probably end up after these become deflated.
The UK's Marine Conservation Society (MCS) has described how “Balloons are mistaken for food by many species of wildlife, especially turtles. Once balloons have been eaten they can block digestive systems and cause animals to starve. The string on balloons can also entangle and trap animals.”
GONHS says that, aside from the effect on marine life, deflated balloons litter urban and countryside spaces. Although the majority of balloons used in intentional releases are latex - also known as biodegradable balloons - GONHS says that even they can take “several months, if not years, to break down.”
For the reasons described above, GONHS has asked the Chief Minister and the Self-Determination for Gibraltar Group (SDGG) to end to this practice.
A statement from the group concluded: “Our knowledge of the impact that such seemingly harmless actions can have on the environment has improved considerably since 1992 when the first celebrations were held, just as Gibraltarian society has evolved and matured. We should thus be looking to celebrate our identity in a manner than is consonant with sound environmental practices.
“GONHS belongs to several international bodies, including IUCN, BirdLife International, BatLife Europe and the UK Overseas Territories Conservation Forum. These balloon releases detract from the valuable conservation work which GONHS is carrying out locally and in partnership with these and other organisations.”
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