Overfishing is a huge problem and sharks are paying the price. Millions of sharks are killed every year, many off the shores of where I live in Virginia. Sharks are apex predators and critical to the ecosystem. Every year, many species get closer to becoming endangered. The blue shark is one of those species -- 10-20 million are killed every year and the International Union for Conservation of Nature lists them as near-threatened

My name is Riley, and as a kid who wants to grow up to be a marine biologist I don’t want sharks wiped out. That is why I am starting this petition to call on my state to lead the way and protect the blue shark from fishing off the shores of Virginia. The blue shark is on a path to becoming endangered. Taking steps to stop fishing of the blue shark will ensure that it never does.

I hope you will join me in calling on the Virginia General Assembly and Virginia Marine Resource Commission to change fishing regulations to forbid the fishing of the blue shark.

My generation and those that follow, deserve an ocean in balance -- sharks are critical to that balance. When my teacher said we had do a project that would better our community, I knew exactly what I wanted to do -- get my state to help stop the blue shark from becoming endangered.

I know I’m just a kid, but I believe together we can make a difference. Our oceans and their wildlife face big challenges and if we don’t do something, it will only get worse. This may only be a small step, but it is a step in the right direction. Will you join me?

Please sign and share my petition calling on the Virginia General Assembly and Virginia Marine Resource Commission to change fishing regulations to forbid the fishing of the blue shark. Thank you so much for your time and support.