A number of projects at MBARI are designed to make maximum use of
data and samples collected for both internal and external researchers. Two theoretical
studies will examine which sampling strategies optimize estimation of oceanographic
properties of interest. The results of these studies will help determine how, when, and
where data needs to be acquired and archived. In 1999 improvements are also planned in the
Video Information Management System (VIMS) for acquiring and archiving video images from
the ROVs. A new project will begin to develop a web-based interface for visualizing three-
dimensional data sets collected by the ROVs. We expect to provide easier access in 1999 to
CTD, moorings, and molecular data, and to MBARI samples. We will continue efforts to
properly document major MBARI engineering projects, such as Tiburon, to facilitate
maintenance and technology transfer efforts.
