SAN DIEGO (CNN, KYMA/KECY) – They’re bright, loud and a Fourth of July tradition. However, fireworks can also be problematic, not only for pets at home.
Two environmental groups in San Diego say SeaWorld’s fireworks in particular are polluting Mission Bay.
“They are not cleaning up the fireworks debris and the trash and the plastics that are a result of these shows,” said Phillip Musegaas, Executive Director of the San Diego Coastkeeper.
San Diego Coastkeeper and CERF say SeaWorld agreed to cleanup rules in a previous settlement over a decade ago, but they say the company isn’t holding up its end.
“Last year or so, we launched an investigation. We actually sent a diver into the water around the fireworks barge that’s operated by SeaWorld,” Musegaas shared.
What they’ve found are plastic wires and firework caps.
“We found a lot of debris along the shoreline, especially at low tide,” Musegaas added.
The groups say it’s not just litter, it’s long-term damage.
“There’s a compounding effect. There’s a lot of physical debris and then over time you’re just getting a build up of metals and plastics and contamination that are very bad for marine life,” Musegaas expressed.
The 40-page lawsuit says SeaWorld is violating the Clean Water Act. It accuses the park of skipping required cleanups after shows and discharging poorly treated wastewater into the bay.
The groups wants SeaWorld to start thinking differently about their firework shows.
“Long term they really should be looking at alternatives, you know, using drones instead of fireworks. Especially if you’re going to do a show over water, over a marine coastal waterway,” Musegaas said.
A news outlet in San Diego reached out to SeaWorld San Diego who declined to comment on the lawsuit.
They’re still planning their fourth of July firework show this Friday.