India, March 30 -- Every year, fish markets in the seaside Mexican city of Veracruz flood with a crush of customers in the lead up to Holy Week. This year, they were virtually empty.

That's because a huge oil spill off the Gulf of Mexico has spread more than 373 miles across the ocean and seeped into seven nature reserves.

Mexicans who have worked in Veracruz's booming fishing industry for years say they've been dealt a blow at one of the busiest times of the year.

Markets usually jammed with customers were desolate on Friday, with some vendors loudly promoting their products in a desperate attempt to attract customers. Fishing has declined off the coasts of the seaside states of Veracruz, Tabasco and Tamaulipas since the spill.

"This...