Date: Wed, 27 May 1998 00:18:59 -0700
From: wallison@dhivehinet.net.mv (William Allison)
Subject: Re: Coral Bleaching -- MALDIVES

I was in the water near Male today, inside atoll lagoon 
south end of atoll and temperature was, as near as I could 
read it, 30.8 at 10 m and surface until the end of dive, then 
it reached 31.0 - probably effect of water coming off the 
lagoon.  Given reading error on a calibrated mercury lab 
thermometer, 31 is the call. Corals here look a little better 
than earlier, but its a tough call at this point in time. Heavy 
cloud all day and strong winds and rain tonight, along with 
the Return of the Jedi (I think) on TV Maldives, all in all, 
exciting times, non?

....and a bit later on the 27th...

On the 24th in a channel on the east side of South Male Atoll, 
current running strong into the lagoon and being forced up 
over the reef, miserable survey conditions I can assure you, 
the temperature over the reef was 30.5, just beside was 30.0 
and in the turblent flow encountered in the channel when I 
swam clear of the reef, 29.5. How's that for fit?

William R. Allison (Bill)
Ma. Maadheli
Majeedhee Magu
Male 20-03
MALDIVES
e-mail: wallison@dhivehinet.net.mv