Alaska is predicting a below-average season for Copper River salmon in the Prince William Sound Fishery, and buyers are reacting with cautious optimism that maybe this year will be better than the last.

Patrick Wagner, who works in strategic sourcing for Seattle Fish Company, told IntraFish his retail customers in Colorado, who include Kroger and Whole Foods as well as boutique retailers, are eager to purchase a product they view as premium, and even seem to enjoy the competitive process.