Obama vows to 'improve Chesapeake Bay'

US president Barack Obama has pledged federal help to improve the Chesapeake Bay area.

The largest estuary in the US, Chesapeake Bay is home to a vast array of marine life, including oysters and blue crabs, msnbc reports.

However, there has been concern for some time that fish stocks are "well below their historic levels".

Scientists have also warned that excessive algae growth is reducing oxygen levels in the water.

Authorities are said to be hopeful that the bay can be restored within the next five years if the Clean Water Act is enforced in full by the government and more aggressive targets are established.

In other US environmental news, a scrap yard operator in Idaho was fined earlier this week after government inspectors found evidence of oil leaking into soil.