Sunny Rice

Focus

• Commercial fisheries
• Marine mammal and fishery interactions
• Rural development
• Fisheries business

Experience

• I have worked in the Petersburg MAP office since 1998, and as the MAP agent there since 2004. Prior to that, I worked as a port sampler for ADF&G and in the public library and high school. I began my career in Alaska as a fish processor in Valdez in 1990

Education

• B.A. English, Oberlin College
• Master of Public Administration, University of Alaska Southeast, 2004

Current projects

• Petersburg Science Series
  • A Community-Based Landslide Warning System — January 17, 2024 (YouTube)
• Connecting researchers with commercial fishing vessel platforms with the Alaska Trollers Association
• Petersburg Marine Mammal Center disentanglement and outreach
• Alaska Young Fishermen’s Summit
• Petersburg Rainforest Festival
• FishBiz: Fisheries business assistance to emerging and retiring fishermen

Past projects

• Understanding sea otter recolonization in Southeast Alaska
• Reducing humpback whale entanglements in Southeast net fisheries
• Seabird avoidance for smaller longline vessels; see Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission for information on how to build your own streamer line.
• Tips for Direct Marketers: Working with a Broker or Trader
• Brochure: Coping with an Accident at Sea

What I like about Alaska

Its incredible natural beauty, small-town feel, relaxed and independent attitude, and SALMON!

Why I love my job

I like working for the public. Extension agents have a unique position in that we can respond directly to public needs. If someone has a question or problem, we can find a way to help solve it. I also like acting as an intermediary between other government agencies and their constituents—helping forge the connection between people and their government. That's an important part of making democracy work.