Commercial fishermen, including a groundfish trawler from Astoria, have won a temporary restraining order blocking Pacific Seafood Group’s acquisition of Ocean Gold Seafoods, among the largest seafood processors on the West Coast.

The fishermen allege that the acquisition would increase Pacific Seafood’s monopoly power in the groundfish, whiting and coldwater shrimp markets in violation of federal antitrust law.

The complaint also claims there is a strong likelihood that Pacific Seafood will not rebuild a fish processing plant in Warrenton, lost in a 2013 fire, if it acquires controlling interest in Ocean Gold. Pacific Seafood has been leasing space from the Port of Astoria at Tongue Point since the Warrenton plant burned down.

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