This is a tough time for lovers of Louisiana oysters, and those who make their living from them. Fresh water has devastated many of the state's prime oyster growing grounds.
According to Wildlife and Fisheries, the double opening of the Bonnet Carre Spillway in April and May has been more damaging than hurricanes Katrina and Rita or the BP oil spill, both of which devastated the local industry. The spillway's freshwater outflow barreled through Lake Pontchartrain toward the Gulf right across some of the state's best oyster growing areas.
Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser says it'll be some time before they bounce back.
"You know, oysters are not like shrimp. It takes several years to grow them. And this fresh water has devastated many of those areas."
That's caused a dramatic plunge in the supply of Louisiana oysters. A number of area restaurants have resorted to rationing. Acme Oyster House and Drago's have stopped serving raw oysters.
"It's pretty bad," says Nungesser. "We've got shortages in oysters that are available to our visitors and residents alike. Some restaurants have actually taken the oysters off the menu because they're just not available."
"You know, people come here for those world-famous oysters. There's none like it anywhere in the world. So we're hoping that we can see it come back a little quicker than expected. But we're going to feel the impact for a couple years."
This year's extraordinary influx of freshwater, combined with high water temperatures in the Gulf, destroyed the oysters' natural nurturing environment of a freshwater and brine mixture. Some of the state's most ideal oyster areas are producing close to zero oysters.
By the middle of next month, oyster experts believe production will increase in areas farther to the west of the Mississippi River that saw less freshwater flowing through them. But it can be a three- to five-year process to bring the best beds back to good health.
"Hopefully, some of the areas that were least affected can produce and at least keep some oysters on the table through this shortage," Nungesser says.
He says federal money to assist the industry is forthcoming.
"Hopefully, the federal funding that's going to help that industry comes through in a short amount of time to where we can help all the industries that suffered."
Louisiana normally begins harvesting a torrent of oysters in the fall. This year, that torrent is barely a trickle.