WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Patty Murray says she’ll be leading the charge in Washington DC for funding to help eradicate the European green crab from Washington waters.

She and 6th District Congressman Derek Kilmer met with state wildlife officials and tribal leaders in Sequim to announce the effort.

Murray says federal agencies have partnered with Washington on some efforts to eradicate the invasive crabs, but none have dedicated federal funds to the effort.

The crabs that decimate native species have been found at an increasing number of areas of Puget Sound, with tens of thousands being pulled from the Lummi Sea Pond off Whatcom County.