V1, 7/18/05 4 methodologies. Owing to proximity to significant seaports the overall system is well positioned for exploring societal applications to safe navigation, emergency management, and fisheries issues. At this stage of technological development, they are largely physically oriented, but because the natural systems (ecosystems, sediment transport, etc.) are physically-driven, as are most societal applications (e.g., search-and-rescue, oil spills, fish larvae recruitment, coastal marine climatologies), this is a logical first step in development. The systems, located in different subregional environments, provide the “seeds” from which a region-wide observing system may be designed and eventually “blossom”. In the meanwhile, satellite remote sensing and regional modeling provide regional coverage. SEACOOS’ largely academic composition brings a cultural imperative to spin-off scholarly publications while conducting mission-oriented R&D, which contributes significantly to the scientific and societal credibility and acceptance of the evolving observing (really, information) system. A second recurring point of confusion is the distinction between SECOORA (the SE regional association effort) and SEACOOS and the roles they are playing.     The evaluation has greatly helped SEACOOS recognize its appropriate role, as a research effort prototyping various technical elements of the RCOOS.  It is not our intention that SEACOOS assume the responsibilities of a RA. However, it has served to provide a foundation for some essential SECOORA elements, e.g. RCOOS, data management hub, and to spin-up an Educational & Extension activity for SECOORA.  In particular, recommendations about financial strategies, full user characterizations, and long-term strategic planning are crucial activities for the RA to pursue. SEACOOS is a research effort to better understand what will be required of an RCOOS.  It is developing and testing the main tools, technologies and methodologies required.  SECOORA is to be the regional association of stakeholders for the Southeast and therefore the body responsible for including the larger community and fulfilling the expected roles of prioritization based on user needs.  SECOORA will hopefully build on the experiences and groundwork laid by SEACOOS as it moves forward and SEACOOS will find its role within SECOORA should full funding come to pass. What is uncertain is if and when full funding for IOOS will become a reality.  In the case that funding is not available to SECOORA in the near term, SEACOOS will strive to continue to develop, building on the progress it has made to date.   Funding levels will largely dictate the scope of issues that can be addressed.  We will continue to refine our determination of the most appropriate targets for SEACOOS activities. · Because it is pitched as having technology goals (fuse the existing systems), research goals (understanding the system) as well as societal goals (enabling enhanced SAR) it needs to have multiple sets of performance metrics. It will have technology performance goals and metrics and timelines against which its