WHATCOM COUNTY, Wash. – The Lummi Nation has issued a disaster declaration over the invasion of European green crabs into area waters.

The Lummi Business Council says a multi-agency effort has removed 70,000 of the invasive species from the Lummi Sea Pond west of the reservation.

But it says the threat remains from the aggressive predator that consumes and overwhelms native crab and other shellfish species.

The green crabs also destroy essential habitat for juvenile salmon.

The council passed a resolution declaring the disaster on November 23rd and says a huge increase in eradication is needed by tribal, state and federal agencies.