IIRC, the area of the spill is a deadzone created by fertilizer run-off from the Mississippi. (causing low O2 levels)
Wonder what effect that might haveon this whole process?
IIRC, the spill is not directly in that dead zone. It would not have affected fishing so greatly if it was.
I believe that dead zone from fertilizer moves around.
Also, in the dead zone it would slow down the breakdown of oil due to the lack of oxygen.