Crab population decline 'due to water pollution'

A mixture of water pollution and overfishing have caused the blue crab population along the US' Chesapeake Bay to decline, it has been claimed.

According to a report compiled by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, the federal government has not cooperated enough with efforts to reduce the problem.

The foundation called for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to introduce restrictions on the amount of pollution that the estuary is exposed to.

William Baker, president of the foundation, explained: "I think the most important thing right now is for the federal Environment Protection Agency to do its job. That will help reinforce the efforts of the states."

Chesapeake Bay is the biggest estuary in the US.

The EPA last week announced that it has released a list of most wanted individuals who are accused of crimes involving pollution and environmental damage.

A total of 23 fugitives are featured on the list, all of whom have fled the country.