It’s official – Balloons are simply to dangerous.

Cunard have scrapped a balloon launch at the Queen Mary 2 10th birthday party over fears it could harm wildlife.

Cunard had intended to release 10,000 balloons at a celebration in Southampton on Friday for the 10th birthday of the Queen Mary 2 however, the decision sparked an online campaign firmly against the balloon launch from environmental groups due to the potential damage to marine life.

According to the Marine Conservation Society, balloons are mistaken for food once they drift back down to land or sea, particularly by turtles. If eaten the balloons can block the digestive system and cause the animal to starve.

Steve Trewhella, a conservationist from Wareham, was among those calling for the cancellation of the balloon release. He said:

“I see precisely what this litter does to wildlife, biodegradable means nothing, if a turtle encounters a balloon when it lands in the sea it’s game over.”

On a similar note, last month the RNLI cancelled the release of 1,000 biodegradable balloons from Weymouth Lifeboat Station after supporters called for it to be stopped.

The Queen Mary 2 will be joined by the Queen Elizabeth and the Queen Victoria while the amended celebration will include a fireworks display.

Now is it just me who thinks some people should just stop moaning about everything and just live and let live a little more? Don’t Steve Trewhella and the like have nothing better to do than campaign about the dangers of balloons?….. I mean he’s an ‘anti balloon launch campaigner’ – seriously?!….

While of course no-one wants to see ‘turtle balloon death’ on a massive scale, Steve Trewhella doesn’t appear to mind the firework display, which will of course see thousands of burnt firework casings dropping back into the ocean also. Unless of course turtles are immune to this particular kind of threat.

The point is ‘things’ are dangerous, the world is a dangerous place where dangerous things happen and i’m certain turtles already know this.

We can’t attempt to prevent every potential threat to every single thing, it’s just impossible. I believe Steve Trewhella and the like should realise this sometimes and for once just say – live and let live and deal with the consequences.

What do you think, should we outlaw everything in order to protect ourselves?!