Marine Advisory Program
Box 1329
Petersburg, AK 99833
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
- 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.