根據維州7月生效的一項嚴格的新規定,在當地放飛氫氣球是非法行為,違規個人將面臨高達991澳元的罰款,違規公司則面臨高達4956澳元的罰款。
據澳新社7月15日報道,維州環保局(EPA)被賦予更多權力,以防止環境遭到污染。根據這項新規,如果個人或者公司放飛多個氣球或者被告上法庭,個人罰款將增加到逾1.65萬澳元,公司則面臨近8.3萬澳元罰款。
維州環保局鼓勵民眾向野生動物保護機構Zoos Victoria舉報那些違反新法律的人。環保局表示,氣球及其附屬物可能會導致野生動物受到嚴重傷害或死亡,因為在水中漂浮的氣球看起來像魷魚或者水母,野生動物會誤把氣球當作食物,維州還發生過海豹等動物被氣球絲帶纏住事件,這會對動物造成持久傷害。
#Balloons are in the top 3 most most harmful pollutants threatening marine wildlife. When balloons end up in the #ocean, they can be mistaken by wildlife for food. You can help. Pledge to never use balloons outdoors with @ZoosVictoria: https://t.co/ilGAFKecyE#WorldOceansDay pic.twitter.com/R0G8lopvj9
— EPA Victoria (@EPA_Victoria) June 8, 2018
維州環保局建議人們採用其他替代方式,例如吹泡泡、使用漂浮花或可回收的旗幟、紙質裝飾品,以及種植樹木。
維州這項新規在社交媒體上得到了廣泛的支持。維州野生動物組織(Wildlife Victoria)在推特上發帖表示,這標誌著野生動物的勝利,目前在戶外放飛氣球是非法的,新規將有助於拯救無數生命,保護野生動物。
This week marks a #WildlifeWin with it now being illegal to release balloons into the environment. Released balloons end up in our waterways & oceans & often get eaten by our seabirds who mistake them for food. This new law will help save countless lives & protect our wildlife. pic.twitter.com/WLIluVyZWm
— Wildlife Victoria (@wildlife_vic) July 14, 2021
還有網友敦促其他地區效仿。
A fantastic win for victorians!! It’s finally considered illegal to release balloons into the environment within Victoria. My only hope is that it soon becomes illegal nationwide. https://t.co/3ByW18E52q
— Kristal Kostoglou (@_Kristal_K) July 13, 2021