Several boaters were caught on camera popping balloons and letting the trash fall into the water near a Coconut Grove marina in Miami-Dade County.
Highlights
- Cellphone video shows boaters popping balloons and letting the trash fall into the water near a Coconut Grove marina in Miami-Dade County.
- The man was identified as 29-year-old David Torres-Bocanegra.
- Balloon releases have been illegal in Florida since 1989.
- Balloons can be mistaken for food by sea turtles and other marine animals, and if eaten, can lead to internal injury, starvation, and death.
- One witness said balloons may have been part of a marriage proposal, but the boat owner said he was not responsible for the balloon popping.
- The owner of the boat said he rented the boat so he could propose to his girlfriend.