First Alaska Copper River Salmon Hit Seattle

Loading up the first cargo shipment to Seattle. #CopperRiverSalmon pic.twitter.com/CcakeXYI3u

— Alaska Airlines (@AlaskaAir) May 19, 2017

We've got a great flight crew delivering the first #CopperRiverSalmon pic.twitter.com/bNsQW6C6K6

— Alaska Airlines (@AlaskaAir) May 19, 2017

The season’s first fish, a 45-pound king salmon donated by Ocean Beauty became today's catch of the day. #CopperRiverSalmon pic.twitter.com/FTR8GheEw6

— Alaska Airlines (@AlaskaAir) May 19, 2017

A catch worthy of a kiss. ?#CopperRiverSalmon pic.twitter.com/mnDdTXvpeO

— Alaska Airlines (@AlaskaAir) May 19, 2017

As is the annual tradition, Alaska Airlines flew down the first haul of Copper River salmon to Seattle today.

Here’s KOMO News with more:

The first shipment of 22,000 pounds arrived Friday morning on an Alaska Airlines 737 from Cordova, Alaska, marking the start of the summer salmon grilling season. Three more shipments will arrive Friday, bringing about 77,000 pounds to Anchorage and the rest of the United States.

“Our Cargo employees are working around the clock to ensure we deliver the first catch of the coveted wild Copper River salmon to market, often within 24 hours of being pulled from the water,” Jason Berry, Alaska Air Cargo managing director, said in a statement announcing the delivery.

And as also become a recent tradition, the first fish to arrive will be the subject of an annual “Copper Chef Cook-off” right there at the airport. Three top Seattle chefs will battle “Iron Chef” style, making 3 dishes in 30 minutes to decide whose salmon dish reigns supreme (recipes available here). This year’s not-so-secret ingredient is a 45-pound king salmon. The chefs competing this year includes Executive Chef John Sundstrom of Lark, Executive Chef Stuart Lane of Spinasse and Artusi and Executive Chef David Yeo of Wild Ginger.