Dooley

MEMORANDUM & ORDER

Motion for Partial Judgment and Motion for Summary Judgment

The Caitlin Ann fishing company, its managing director John Dooley, and several crew members bring this action against three fishing associations and their members, as well as a purveyor of fish, seeking relief for alleged interference with the Caitlin Ann’s Dungeness crab harvesting off the coast of California. Now before the court are defendants’ motion for partial judgment on plaintiffs’ Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (“RICO”) claim, and plaintiffs’ motion for summary judgment on a defendant’s counterclaims. After having considered the parties’ arguments and submissions, and for the reasons set forth below, the court rules as follows.

BACKGROUND

The Caitlin Ann company, a Washington limited liability corporation, is the owner of a fishing boat also named the Caitlin Ann. JSUF ¶ 4; First Am. Compl. ¶4. Under the management of Dooley, the company harvests Dungeness crab off the coast of California, Washington and Oregon. First Am. Compl. ¶ 5. Both plaintiffs and defendants agree that crabs are harvested commercially using steel and wire traps, or pots, that rest on the ocean…