Copper River salmon arrives, but fanfare exchanged for focus on health care workers

SEATAC, Wash. — The first Copper River king salmon arrived at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport from Cordova, Alaska, Friday, and while it’s usually a big event with lots of fanfare, the ongoing pandemic is changing the tradition this year.

Usually, the first shipment arrives on what Alaska Airlines calls a Boeing “SalmonThirtySalmon,” which pulls up near a red carpet. The pilot then steps out of the cockpit holding a meaty king salmon at the top of the stairs. Everyone cheers, photos are taken and the fish -- coveted for its high oil content - is prepared by well-known Seattle chefs during a cookout on the tarmac.

This year, the Pacific Northwest marketing event-turned-tradition will honor frontline health care workers. Seattle celebrity Chef Tom Douglas will cook and deliver fish meals to workers at Swedish Hospital.

It's a tribute to the work being done during the pandemic.

More than 200 hospital workers will be among the first to enjoy the season's first catch.

There was still some of the same fanfare with the arrival this year, but everyone who attended was wearing masks, including the pilot, Brent Carricaburu, who grew up an Alaska fisherman.

Carricaburu still brandished the 33-pound salmon for all to see, but due to COVID-19, there was no kissing of the fish this year -- a tradition KIRO 7 reporters have taken part of in years past on live television.

“I’m not going to lie, I was kind of happy I didn’t have to kiss the fish this year, so there is a silver lining to the mask situation," he said.

Copper River king salmon typically sells for nearly $60 a pound at the outset, but KIRO 7 was told that this year, market prices are “substantially down" from last year.

“Only 30% of seafood is eaten in people’s homes. With restaurants closed down all across the country, this made seafood a tremendous value," said Joe Bundrant with Trident Seafoods.

The yield is also lower this year, as parts of the Copper River are still frozen.

Copper River salmon should be available in some stores Friday.

And some local restaurants, though only able to offer takeout, will be able to add the salmon to their menus.

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