In observance of lent, Ash Wednesday for many people means seafood will be main dishes in many households here in Acadiana.

News 10’s Brheanna Berry visited one local seafood spot where despite the demand, the business is feeling the effects of oil field layoffs.

Boiled crawfish, oysters, shrimp, all seafood that Andre Leger, who owns Chez Francois Seafood in Lafayette, says is the usual order when customers walk in during lent season.

Lent season always means a spark in customers, “There is a major increase in business,” Leger explains.

While seafood is a luxury that can be very profitable, especially during lent, oil field layoffs across Acadiana has led to a decrease in business for the seafood industry.

“Some people I’ve talked to said this is as bad as the crash I the eighties. You know normally when we have a little slump in the oil field we feel the effects, but not to the extreme that we have this go around,” Leger told KLFY.

In addition to layoffs, there are other roadblocks for the seafood business.

“Locally we are competing with Houston. That’s three and a half hours away. That’s millions of people, and lot’s of money,” he said.

Which has caused prices to rise in a time when most families are on a stricter budget.

Even with certain complications, leger says there are still some positive notes for business.

“Lent is early this year, it’s cold. Which is good for the seafood business because people are not just eating boiled crawfish they’re eating seafood gumbos or crawfish etouffee.” Leger said.