Yes... USF Marine Science has been following the spill from the beginning and reported "an amazing expotential growth of this particular bacteria" They also noted a die off of the bacteria once oil levels subsided post capping.
good article on the subject... referencing Woods Hole group. The USF Marine Science Dept. was featured on newscasts here in the Bay Area..
Oil-eating bacteria have started to clean the Deepwater Horizon spill | Not Exactly Rocket Science | Discover Magazine
In other articles I have read the spill in the Gulf of Campeche had the waters near normal about 18-24 mos after capping of Ixtoc I
As far as "reckless" goes the word can be considered subjective on many levels. I sail solo a lot... was out yesterday in fact in the open Gulf of Mexico. I had to move a boat, my choices were limited to time constraints. I looked at my weather, charts and time and realized I had little choice but to run offshore in crappy weather.. truly crappy weather. My body is beat to heck and back, we took water over the bow the entire trip.. we as in the boat an me. At no time was I in danger of being tossed overboard, at no time was I not in cell/radio range and I made it clear to the boat owner my intentions and my course of action. As I tied of the boat behind HWH electronics where it was going.. the boys there told me I was a lunatic for going offshore and all that.. Factors in my decision were my level of experience, owners trust in me, and his boat. At no time was I reckless nor unsafe nor untethered to something. Reckless is a subjective term methinks.. it falls, sometimes, into one's comfort zone..then again there are those with a desire to win a Darwin Award. Far be it for me to disuade them from thier goal.. but I won't be anywhere near them when they do.. again ymmv