2 face felony charges over balloon pollution in Biscayne Bay; might face time in jail

MIAMI – A 26-year-old girl and a 29-year-old man are going through prison expenses over the disposal of balloons into Biscayne Bay after these had been used to decorate a yacht during a wedding proposal.

A witness shared a video on Instagram and environmentalists were outraged. Marine animals often mistake the nonbiodegradable deflated balloons for jellyfish. Turtles eat it. Seabirds feed it to their young.

Miami-Dade cops also issued civil citations with more than $23,000 in fines for the illegal dumping on the Bayshore Touchdown Marina in Coconut Grove. This has been a more painful studying experience for Martina Gaspoz and David Torres-Bocanegra who have been each working.

Officers arrested Gaspoz on Friday and Torres-Bocanegra on Wednesday. They are going through charges of willful disregard for the atmosphere, a third-degree felony punishable with a high quality of as much as $50,000 or imprisonment for five years, or each. Her bond was $5,000.

Advert

Officers arrested Torres-Bocanegra for reckless disregard for the setting, a second-degree misdemeanor punishable with a effective of up to $10,000 or 60 days in jail, or each. His bond was $500. Detective Angel Rodriguez later clarified there was a mistake with the cost.

Detectives didn't consider the couple who received engaged on Tuesday to be the culprits. As a substitute, officers issued citations to the two firms — the event planner and the yacht constitution — that the long run groom employed.

Additionally, not everybody who obtained a $2,510 quotation truly touched the balloons or was present for the celebration.

Dessideria D’Caro De Capriles, of Doral, is the owner of the charter yacht. Gabriela Castillo was the event coordinator. Francisco Feo was the individual in command of the constitution company. Officers additionally cited Tulio Capriles, Iulia Tyshchenko, Viacheslav Diadiura, and Efrain Hernandez.

Advert

Environmental advocates want Miami-Dade officers to do extra.

The Florida Ocean CleanUp Society, a nonprofit organization, set up a Change.org petition asking Miami-Dade’s Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, the chief bay officer, and commissioners to pilot a brand new ordinance banning balloons and confetti in coastal waters.

“Banning balloons and confetti isn’t going to unravel the air pollution downside. Nonetheless, we imagine it’s necessary and necessary to spark a cultural shift,” the petitioner wrote including, “We beg the Miami-Dade county to pass laws to guard our ecosystem and increase environmental awareness among boaters and the charter industry.”

Advert

For extra stories about protecting Biscayne Bay, go to the Don’t Trash Our Treasure page. Local 10 Information Environmental Advocate Louis Aguirre leads the workforce.

Related social media

Watch the associated reports

Don’t Trash Our Treasure: 6 p.m., Might 11

Night time report: 11 p.m., Could 11

Afternoon report: 4 p.m., May 11

Location

Copyright 2022 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved.