Although historical SEAKEYS data are available from our object database (data server) , our development of an online access application is proceeding painfully slow. Problems have arisen with a bug in the vendor's software, so we are developing an alternate strategy, one which uses Java servlet and Common Object Request Broker (CORBA) technologies. After this problem is solved, we will still need to use FIO Field Technician spreadsheets of dates of instrument swap-outs and other changes before we can change our data parsing code in the server so that online queries can get the more recent data (i.e., since the new instrument installations).

The expert system is progressing nicely, but much still has to be done. Two papers on its use have been submitted and accepted for presentation at two upcoming conferences. The expert system essentially looks at incoming parameters to see if high sea temperatures together with low winds coincide to be conducive to coral bleaching, according to coral research experts, then outputs email messages to interested parties and writes a Web page. The expert system is meant to serve as model which can be adjusted until it represents a monitoring effort correctly. The coral bleaching subdomain expert system is meant to serve as a test case for a more ambitious marine environmental expert system.

Dr. Terry Nelsen, Dr. Gary Hitchcock, Mr. Jim Hendee, Mr. Chris Moore and Mr. Trent Moore met at AOML to discuss the year's new sampling plan for fluorometry and transmissometry measurements. A protocol was discussed and provisionally approved.

All supplies and equipment have been ordered for fluorometry and transmissometry sampling and will be delivered to the Keys Marine Laboratory soon.

Data parsing code has been re-programmed to reflect the addition of the new instruments at the SEAKEYS stations.