Area M is comprised of the waters between Cape Menshikof and Cape Sarichef on the north side of the Alaska Peninsula and Kupreanof Point and Scotch Cap on the south side of the peninsula. It is one of the largest salmon areas in the State of Alaska. The southern side of the peninsula is deep water of the Pacific Ocean with rocky, frequently inletted andbayed shoreline with multiple rocky islands. The geography is typical of a continental subduction zone. The north, or Bering Sea side, is shallow emerging coastline with long straight beaches of black sand. There are very few inlets or bays and frequent shifting sandbars offshore. The peninsula is an active volcanic zone fueled by the heat of the subduction process. It is drained by many rivers that meander through the flat tundra to the ocean creating some of the best salmon habitat in the world.

The primary areas fished by the driftnet fleet that False Pass Alliance represents are the southern shores of Unimak Island, the first in the string of Aleutian Islands, and the northern coast of the peninsula mainly in the Port Moller area.

We fish in the ocean and not in the rivers. The fish are harvested in salt water and so retain their bright color and firm flesh. These are of some of the highest quality fish in the world. The majority of fish caught by the drift gillnet fleet are chilled in refrigerated sea water or slush ice making the area M product one of the most sought after. The area has been well managed and strictly controlled by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game so continues to be a highly sustainable fishery. It is certified to the Marine Stewardship Council's environmental standard as a well-managed and sustainable fishery. There is very little human habitation on the peninsula so salmon habitat remains pristine and unpolluted.

The drift gillnet fleet works in spite of frequent high winds and rough seas. The fishermen in the area are mostly comprised of career fishermen who have families and love what they do. They are dedicated to providing the best salmon in the world. Creature comforts are minimal and harbors to get out of the weather are few and far between. Our groups of hardy individuals have weathered the ups and currently down financial challenges associated with the salmon industry.

We, False Pass Alliance, are working to secure a solid financial future for the fishermen that take the risks to provide the consumer with such high quality salmon. We negotiate price with the major buyers. We are working to bring competitive new buyers into the area that has been predominantly monopolized by a single buyer for decades.