Dolphin sightings off Hartlepool coast prompt fresh plea over sky lanterns and balloon releases

Hartlepool Borough Council banned such releases from land it owns and manages in December 2018, following a lengthy public consultation and awareness campaign.

RELATED: Watch amazing close up video of dolphins swimming off the Hartlepool coast

The consultation showed there was overwhelming support for a prohibition amid concern over the environmental impact of such releases, with 94.5% of people who responded backing the ban.

With summer here and birds and animals flourishing along the Hartlepool coast, council chiefs are again warning of the dangers to wildlife from releasing balloons and sky lanterns.

Councillor John Tennant, chair of the council’s neighbourhood services committee, warned of the impact the releases can have on the environment and issues they cause.

He said: “With the summer bringing a proliferation of wildlife along the Hartlepool coast, including pods of dolphins offshore and the Little Terns nesting on Seaton Carew beach, it’s timely to remind people of the harm caused by balloon and lantern releases.

“While some balloons burst, others gradually deflate, leaving behind latex and ribbons.

“When animals ingest the latex it can block their digestive tracts, effectively starving them to death. In some cases, the animals also become entangled in the balloons and their ribbons, leaving them unable to move or eat.

“Sky lanterns can also be mistaken for distress flares over water, resulting in false alarms involving both the Coastguard and the RNLI.”

Council chiefs have also encouraged people to use more nature-friendly forms of commemoration instead of carrying out such releases, such as council-organised tree planting.

Coun Tennant added: “No balloon and sky lantern releases are permitted from council-owned or managed land, but I would also encourage people in Hartlepool to please not release balloons and lanterns from anywhere at all, to help protect the environment and keep our wildlife safe.

“Balloon and lantern releases have sometimes been used as a means of commemoration and celebration, but there are far safer, more environmentally-friendly alternatives, including tree planting and memorial benches – which can be arranged through the Council – or flower releases on water, bubble releases or candlelit vigils.”

Earlier this year Cleveland Fire Brigade also warned the lanterns are a fire hazard and pose risks to animals, property and the environment, and stressed they should not be released.

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