Christian Jennings WGNO News

1:45 p.m. CDT, April 20, 2011
FRENCH QUARTER, NEW ORLEANS—

An iconic French Quarter seafood distributing company is speaking out about their struggles, both financially and emotionally, one year after the Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion and spill.

P & J Oyster Company workers haven't shucked an oyster since June of 2010. The company, which is owned by two brothers, Al and Sal Sunseri, has been around for 135 years. But during the past year, they've been forced to lay off dozens of employees, even family members.

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Wednesday morning oysters came in from Texas because the Louisiana oyster supply is so bleak. Owners say this is Holy week, a week that is typically their busiest shucking time of the year. But now their warehouse sits empty most days.

P & J says even buyers that were loyal for years were forced to look elsewhere for oysters so they've lost most of their revenue. Layoffs were difficult but necessary during the trying times.

"It's been tough. Some of these people have been with us for 25 years or more. It's odd not hearing the clacking and hammering of oysters here. It's been sad," said Sal Sunseri.

The brothers aren't happy with BP's financial response either, saying they received only a minimal amount of money for loses. However, they remain hopeful their company will stay afloat like it has for the past century.