Arrest Made in Balloon Littering Investigation at Coconut Grove Marina – NBC 6 South Florida

A person has been arrested after cellphone video captured what seemed to be several boaters popping balloons and letting the trash fall into the water near a Coconut Grove marina on Tuesday.

The video posted by MMG Outboard Division, a gaggle who says they "delight ourselves on defending and spreading awareness on the gorgeous waters we get to name residence," was shot simply after 4 p.m. at Bayshore Touchdown Marina.

Two folks onboard the boat are seen popping balloons and letting them fall into the water.

"As we handed them and expressed our disagreement, we had been ignored and so they continued popping away with no care on the planet," the group posted of their message.

Miami-Dade police have made an arrest after cellphone video surfaced of individuals on a ship popping balloons into the ocean. NBC 6's Jamie Guirola reviews

Miami-Dade Police stated Wednesday evening that they arrested one man and handed out 9 civil citations.

The man was identified as 29-year-old David Torres-Bocanegra. He was charged with reckless disregard for the surroundings.

“As a group, we share the duty to protect the environment," Miami-Dade Police Director George A. Perez mentioned in a press release. "I'm extraordinarily happy with our Illegal Dumping Unit, for his or her thorough investigation and swift conclusion to this case."

David Torres-Bocanegra

Tom Rivas, who rented the boat so he may suggest to his girlfriend, responded to the criticisms on his Instagram stories, saying he was not liable for the balloon popping.

"First off, I need to put my heart out and say how vital it is to guard our environment," he stated.

Cloud Nine, an occasion planning firm, additionally deflected responsibility in a press release on Instagram.

"Our balloon vendor adorned the boat and left. We embellished the pier, finished the proposal, and cleaned up like we at all times do. We're by no means answerable for removing balloon decorations," the assertion learn partly.

Esteban Bruna, a yacht broker, shot the cellphone video.

"I was fairly upset about it, this is our bay, that is our livelihood," Bruna said. "I used to be here when they were setting them up and then initially I did not actually suppose much of it but I guess as the day was finished they usually began popping away and letting all of them go into the water I was shocked."

One witness stated the balloons may have been a part of a marriage proposal. Bruna mentioned he confronted the individuals.

"I discussed to them,' are you guys critical, is this one thing you are going to do proper now?' [They] type of just blew me off, ignored me," Bruna said. "It was horrifying to see what they were doing to the marine life and the waterways by just dumping all of these balloons into the water."

Officers with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission stated balloons can be mistaken for meals by sea turtles and other marine animals, and if eaten, can lead to inside damage, starvation, and dying.

Balloon releases have been unlawful in Florida since 1989.