Horizon spill spells devastating news for Louisiana's oyster, seafood distributors

Human error and an unlucky confluence of events surely played a role in the explosion that killed 11 people on the Deep Water Horizon.

But we know now that the rig did not have a remote-control shut-off switch,  a feature  that would have stemmed the tide of the 5,000 barrels of oil spilling into the Gulf of Mexico each day.

A week ago, the spill seemed utterly manageable and few seemed overly concerned. What a difference a week makes.

Today, we know that the spill is pouring up to five times the oil into the gulf as BP originally claimed -- or thought was the case -- depending on who you believe. And it will surely wreak havoc on Louisiana's seafood industry, worth $1.8 billion to our economy.

Now, the federal government has stepped up its involvement, today sending in two C-31s, airplanes specially modified to spray oil-dispersing chemicals into the gulf. Efforts over the weekend, though, will be hampered by high winds and rough seas. Already, a burn that was scheduled for Wednesday has been delayed.

As it stands, this spill -- if not reigned in soon -- could well surpass the damage of the Exxon Valdez spill of 1989.

And, it's just another nail in the coffin for Louisiana's seafood industry.

I talked to Al Sunseri, of P&J Oysters -- the country's oldest oyster company, established in 1876, and could hear the resignation in his voice.

"Well, Lou, if it's not one thing it's another. We dealt with the (proposed Gulf Coast oyster) ban earlier this year, now this ... it's looking pretty bad," said Sunseri, whose company supplies oysters to ACME Oyster House in the French Quarter.

The spill made landfall earlier today, and is slowly seeping into fragile estuaries and nature preserves, not to mention oyster beds, fishing areas, et. al.

Louisiana, Mississippi, and Florida have all issued State of Emergency advisories as the spill makes landfall. And, today, a coterie of Obama cabinet members, U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu, and other high-ranking leaders descended on Robert, La., to see the hands-on cleanup effort.

As of noon today, about 75 boats, 200 feet of boom, and most recently, the C-31 aircraft, have been deployed to the area.

Only time will tell just how effective these tools prove to be, and exactly who is to blame.

One thing appears certain -- BP, with its "green" logo, will surely take a financial and PR hit and Louisiana's seafood industry, justifiably, will surely be throwing a few of those punches.

More bad news for Louisiana's economy.