The consequences of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico are affecting businesses and the livelihood of residents in the region.

Fishing was shut down Monday in federal waters from the Mississippi River to the Florida Panhandle, leaving boats idle in the middle of the prime spring season. A special shrimping season is also set to close.

Soldiers are working to protect Alabama's Dauphin Island from the massive oil spill that lurks just miles away.

Two-hundred and ten-thousand gallons continue to gush from the damaged well daily and it could continue for another week.

Wildlife has been caught in the middle of the disaster, with more than 20 turtles having washed ashore dead. The oil spill has human victims as well.

A fishing ban could set the economy back in the gulf for years to come.

"We don't know what it's going to do," said Glenn Sahnchez, co-owner of Breton Sound Marina in Hopedale, La. "Are we going to be able to work a month from now or be out of business for 4 or 5 years?"

Meanwhile, shipping channels usually teeming with activity are silent and empty.