Cape Hatteras National Seashore (Seashore) took to their March 8, 2023 edition of the Cape Chronicle, the Seashore’s frequent newsletter, to share a daunting image.
The image depicts a bear-shaped Valentine’s Day balloon tangled along the dunes captured during a recent routine beach patrol.
According to the Seashore, biological technicians collected a total 93 balloons along the beach in February 2023, many of which were Valentine’s Day related. A total of 733 balloons were collected by staff just one year prior in 2022.
Though this year’s number of collected balloons contrasts in comparison to last year’s, the image serves as a staunch reminder that balloons and other forms of debris that pose threats to our oceans and beaches should be properly disposed of.
