Ballyhoo Media partners with University of South Florida, The International SeaKeepers Society to advance climate research along Tampa Bay beaches

Ballyhoo Media continues to redefine the OOH advertising industry by placing a strong emphasis on its sustainability efforts. This past month, Ballyhoo joined forces with researchers from the Center for Ocean Mapping and Innovative Technologies (COMIT) at USF’s College of Marine Science and The International SeaKeepers Society to install data loggers on its digital billboard boats. This collaboration aims to support the Seabed 2030 Program, a global initiative dedicated to mapping the ocean floor for a sustainable future.

Aligned with the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, this ground-breaking partnership will harness the potential of Ballyhoo Media’s fleet of digital billboard boats to gather essential data. This data will not only drive scientific research but also pave the way for lasting solutions to Florida's environmental challenges.

By delving into seabed studies, scientists anticipate gaining deeper insights into the impacts of climate change on waterways and identifying at-risk marine habitats. Despite progress, as of May 2023, only a quarter of the ocean floor has been mapped. The ambitious goal of the Seabed 2030 project is to achieve comprehensive mapping by 2030, enhancing the understanding of the world's oceans and supporting sustainable marine resource management.

Underpinning these efforts is Ballyhoo's Blue Beacon program, launched last year. This dedicated division is committed to championing environmental technologies and initiatives, including carbon offsetting, water testing, and clean-up campaigns.

Reflecting on Ballyhoo’s journey, Helen Roldan, Director of Communications & Public Affairs, Ballyhoo Media remarked, "Since our inception in 2016, Ballyhoo has been at the forefront of promoting environmental awareness and education through our digital screens. Our involvement in the Seabed 2030 program, an integral facet of our Blue Beacon Program, signifies our unwavering commitment to driving tangible progress in ocean sustainability. We take immense pride in contributing to this transformative endeavour."

Launched at the UN Ocean Conference in 2017, the Seabed 2030 program involves equipping Ballyhoo Boats with state-of-the-art data logging technology integrated into the boats’ navigation systems. Over the next two months, the University of South Florida will collect and integrate this data into the Seabed 2030 database, enhancing the understanding of Tampa Bay Beaches' seafloor ecosystems.

“The International SeaKeepers Society is thrilled to partner with Ballyhoo Media in the Seabed 2030 project,” said Katie Sheahan, The International SeaKeepers Society’s Citizen Science Manager. “SeaKeepers is proud to continue our mission of protecting and advocating for our oceans. With Ballyhoo’s involvement in the Seabed 2030 project, we will be better equipped to map Florida coastlines and contribute valuable data to this initiative.”

The data collected through Seabed 2030 holds the potential to bridge scientific research gaps, enhance navigational safety, identify hazards, and support ocean scientists and mariners. This endeavour is made possible through the generous support of the Nippon Foundation and the General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans (GEBCO).