Bay Foundation finds link between pollution, crab decline

By News in Brief
Published: January 5, 2009

ANNAPOLIS, Md.—A report from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation confirms the link between pollution and the decline of the bay’s blue crab population.

According to the report, algal blooms caused by nitrogen and phosphorous pollution have damaged underwater grass beds that are a key crab habitat. Dead zones in the bay are blamed for killing thousands of tons of clams and worms each year, depriving crabs of a food source.

The report was based on government data, scientific papers and interviews with leading crab researchers and water quality experts. It says the federal Environmental Protection Agency should admit it has failed to protect the bay and should develop a plan to enforce water quality standards.

The report says the crab population in the bay is one-third the size it was in 1990.