New Bristol Bay Marine Advisory Program agent

Early this fall, Alaska Sea Grant welcomed a new extension agent to its ranks as Tav Ammu joined the program as the Marine Advisory Program agent for the Western Alaska Bristol Bay region.

Tav brings a diverse background to this position. He grew up in Dillingham and Aleknagik, and earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. He taught English in France and Turkey, and volunteered with the Peace Corps in Kyrgyzstan. After serving in the Navy as a surface warfare officer stationed in Japan, Tav earned a master’s degree in marine systems and policy at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland.

Now back in Alaska, Tav is leading workshops and classes, communicating science and information in support of the Bristol Bay region, and connecting with stakeholders to identify priority needs. He adds to Alaska Sea Grant’s capacity with his experience and expertise in natural resource sustainability, marine safety and pollution prevention, food security, and economic diversification and rural development.

“It is exciting and invigorating to be back here working with people I grew up with,” said Tav. “Everyone has been incredibly energized to help the community however possible, and I’m grateful to be surrounded with movers and shakers that want to create opportunities for success in Bristol Bay.”

Tav succeeds Gabe Dunham, who served as the Marine Advisory Program agent in Bristol Bay from 2014 to 2021. In Bristol Bay, Gabe worked to establish marine technical training classes, commercial fishing crew member and marine safety classes for the local fishing fleet, and conducted outreach in the region to promote coastal resilience and science communication.

“Bristol Bay is unlike any other place, and I’m thankful for my time spent there. I learned a lot about rural Alaska needs that will benefit my work around the state.”

Gabe now has a statewide role leading the Alaska Sea Grant Marine Advisory Program. From his new home base in Juneau, Gabe also continues his work on commercial fisheries workforce development.

Alaska Sea Grant is a partnership between University of Alaska Fairbanks and NOAA that supports healthy coastal resources, strong economies, and vibrant communities through research, education, and outreach to Alaska’s coastal people, communities, and industries. Bristol Bay is an important coastal region of Alaska, as it supports the world’s largest sockeye salmon fishery and a diverse population of Alaskans. Alaska Sea Grant and the Marine Advisory Program have served Bristol Bay since the early 1980s, providing a range of services to support the vibrant people and coastal resources in this region.