The first 16,000 pounds of fresh Copper River salmon arrived in Seattle on an Alaska Airlines plane Friday morning.

Before the day is done, another 48,000 pounds are expected to land in the Emerald City.

The season's first fish, a 45-pound king salmon donated by Trident Seafoods, was the center of attention for three Seattle chefs competing for the best salmon recipe in the 9th annual "Copper Chef Cook-off."

The chefs competing this year include defending champion John Sundstrom, chef-owner, Lark, Slab Sandwiches + Pie, Southpaw Pizza; Executive Chef Paul Duncan of Ray's Boathouse; and Executive Chef Chris Bryant of Wildfin American Grill.

Alaska Air Cargo transports more than 170 million pounds of cargo annually—including seafood, mail and freight —and operates the most extensive air cargo operation on the U.S. West Coast of any passenger airline.