The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

JACK Hayward Junior High School broke the law when it held a balloon release during a recent awareness event, the head of the Department of Environmental Planning & Protection has said.

“We are aware of it,” Dr Neely-Murphy said, “and plan to contact the principal about it.”

Balloon releases have been banned in The Bahamas since January 2020.

The balloons were released during an event marking World Suicide Prevention Week and raising awareness about leukaemia.

Dr Rhianna Neely-Murphy, director of DEPP, could not say whether any penalty would be imposed in connection with the release. The law carries a $1,000 fine.

The ban took effect on January 1, 2020, as part of legislation addressing selected single-use plastics. Dr Neely-Murphy said it was introduced to protect environmental and public health.

The incident has also drawn concern from environmentalists, including Earthcare founder Gail Woon, who warned that balloon releases can harm wildlife.

“Balloons are very harmful when ingested by birds and marine life such as fish, endangered sea turtles and marine mammals, including whales and dolphins,” Ms Woon said.

She said animals can develop digestive problems after swallowing balloon material and may eventually die.

Ms Woon said balloons can travel considerable distances through the air and water, while their strings and ribbons can become entangled around wildlife.

She urged schools, organisations and members of the public to consider alternatives such as lighting candles during commemorative events.

Ms Woon also expressed concern that schools and even some law enforcement officials may not be fully aware that balloon releases have been banned since January 2020.

Dr Neely-Murphy acknowledged that greater public education may be needed.

“We have had other instances where balloons were released this year,” she said. “The specific timeline I don’t recall, but we would have reached out to the parties, advised them and reminded them of the law.”

She said that in some instances, those involved had undertaken community service, including replanting mangroves, to support environmental sustainability.

“We want to remind the public of the January 1, 2020, ban,” Dr Neely-Murphy said, “which came into effect with the 2020 ban on selected single-use plastics.”

She said the law was passed with human and environmental health in mind and urged the public to refrain from using banned items.

“Sometimes people are able to sneak things in or get them in somehow,” she said. “These were banned in the interest of environmental and public health.”

Dr Neely-Murphy clarified that balloons themselves are not banned. Releasing them into the environment is prohibited.