Ask ALOysius
About Balloons!

Alliance for a Living Ocean

2007 Long Beach Boulevard
North Beach Haven, New Jersey 08008
(609) 492-0222

Question:

I often see the balloon poster which hangs on the wall at ALO headquarters. Aloysius, what do they mean by "balloons are deadly"? Do I have to give up balloons?

ALOysius:

Balloons are fun and beautiful. Balloons are used to celebrate very special days in people's lives: birthdays, weddings, the arrival of new babies. Balloons have a feeling of magic about them. Who has not imagined themselves flying through the air holding a balloon just like Jane and Michael Banks in "Mary Poppins". Unfortunately to me, Aloysius, and many of my friends in the ocean, balloons can hurt us badly, especially helium balloons. For us, they are no fun at all.

How can that happen? Actually, very easily. First, the helium balloons have to get loose.

  • People accidentally let go of balloons outdoors.
  • People tie balloons to posts in front of their house, and the wind tears them loose.
  • There are even Balloon Launches were people set a lot of balloons loose while celebrating an important occasion.
These escaped balloons sail high up in the sky where the wind blows them over the ocean. The helium gas slowly escapes, and the balloons fall into the water. Because, here in New Jersey, the upper winds blow toward the ocean, balloons can travel from many miles inland to the New Jersey shore.

What happens next is a real problem for me and my friends. We don't know how to recognize balloons, because they are not part of our natural environment. To us, balloons, especially those silver ones, look like food (squid, jellyfish, and other fish). What we do is mistakenly eat them.

Dolphins like me, whales, seals, and sea turtles are often the victims of balloons. The balloons get caught in our digestive systems, which causes us to get sick or even die. It can even prevent a sea turtle from diving under water. The same thing can happen if plastic bags get loose and blow in the ocean.

Now don't look so unhappy because you can do something about this problem that doesn't mean that you and your friends have to give up balloons. Everyone must do some simple things to prevent balloons from escaping.

  • Ask the store where you buy helium balloons to attach a decorative plastic weight to the end of the balloon ribbons. If you let go of the balloon, the plastic weight will prevent the balloon from being blown away over the ocean, and you will not lose the balloon.
  • Use helium balloons only for inside parties. Tying them outside asks for trouble.
  • If groups are planning Balloon Launches, try to explain to them the problem, and encourage them to find other ways to celebrate.
  • Everyone should be careful with plastic bags, too! Don't let them blow away especially near water or from a boat.
This will make me and my friends very happy. We know you do not want to see us get hurt. Remember, be CAREFUL with BALLOONS while still having FUN.

Here are some more questions that I've been asked, about whales and dolphins.

  • Question:
    What do dolphins eat and how much?

    ALOysius:
    Dolphins eat squid, and a variety of fish including the favored menhaden (mossbunkers). In order to survive, dolphins eat about 20 pounds of food in one day.

  • Question:
    What do whales eat?

    ALOysius:
    The really, really large whales such as Blue Whales and Humpback Whales feed on small animals called Krill. Krill is an animal plankton that is about the size of brine shrimp.

    Other whales feed on larger animals than krill. The Sperm Whales love squid. The Orca whales hunt in "wolf-like" packs, and will gang up on larger sea animals including something as large as the White or Beluga Whale. That's how Orca Whales got the name "Killer Whales".

  • Question:
    How do whales and dolphins defend themselves against predators?

    ALOysius:
    They use their size, diving abilities and speed, for example, to avoid ocean predators. Unfortunately the greatest predators are people. Whales are hunted for their oil and meat. Dolphins are caught in fishing nets while people are drag fishing for other fish, mainly tuna.

  • Question:
    What is the largest living things in the ocean?

    ALOysius:
    The Antarctic Blue Whale can grow to as much as 100 feet long, and weigh up to 150 tons.

  • Question:
    How fast can dolphin swim?

    ALOysius:
    Dolphins can swim an amazing 20-45 miles per hour while chasing after their prey.

Whales, dolphins, seals and other creatures are an important part of our eco-system. Help us keep balloons and plastic bags from their environment.

Until next time.

ALOysius

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