The crab dispute has its roots in changes in the seafood processing industry

The Monterey Herald has an AP story that has been widely reprinted about the dispute between the crab fishermen and Pacific Seafood, the Portland-based company that dominates the West Coast’s seafood industry.

Industry critics call the company the "Wal-Mart of the Seas"—a symbol of what’s wrong with the seafood business. They complain the company has become so powerful it uses its dominance to dictate lower prices for their catch and also drives small processors out of business.

"It’s the Wal-Mart syndrome," said Pete Leipzig, who heads the Fishermen’s Marketing Association. "They are so large that they dictate to companies what to produce and what to pay."