AP oil spill means 134-year-old New Orleans oyster company may be shucking its last oyster

Oil spill threatens 134-year old oyster co.

NEW ORLEANS — A 134-year-old New Orleans oyster house is preparing to shuck what may be its last batch of oysters.

The BP oil spill has forced closure of the oyster beds that are the main source for the family-owned P&J Oyster Co. in the French Quarter. Co-owner Al Sunseri says the daily, early morning shucking of oysters for New Orleans restaurants is expected to end Thursday.

He’ll buy pre-shucked oysters from an Alabama supplier but he doesn’t expect that to last long. Then, he says, he’ll have to shut down indefinitely.

Other Louisiana oyster companies say their supplies are dwindling, prices are rising and they aren’t sure how long they’ll be able to stay in business.