Finn Holland, a 15-year-old animal enthusiast, sprang into action when he discovered a shark stranded on the shore near his residence in Maces Bay, a coastal community in southern New Brunswick. With a strong desire to assist the injured creature, Finn, accompanied by his family, navigated their side-by-side vehicle down their lengthy driveway to the beach at Maces Bay, situated southwest of Saint John.
Upon encountering the shark, Finn initially hesitated due to its substantial size of about two meters and weighing around 70 kilograms, later identified as a porbeagle shark. Despite his initial reservations, Finn decided to help the distressed animal by carefully guiding it back into the water, where it swiftly swam away.
Finn’s mother, Jill Holland, expressed pride in her son’s spontaneous act of compassion, stating that it aligned perfectly with his nature to help without hesitation. The Hollands, who have resided in the area for over a decade, were surprised by the rare presence of a shark in their community, a sentiment echoed by shark expert Neil Hammerschlag.
Hammerschlag, the director of the Shark Research Foundation and president of Atlantic Shark Expeditions, highlighted the unusual nature of the shark sighting, noting that porbeagles typically do not inhabit shallow waters. He speculated that the shark might have been distressed or affected by fishing gear, given their declining population due to overfishing.
Despite the endangered status of porbeagle sharks in the Atlantic Ocean since 2004, the Canadian government has yet to formally recognize their plight. Hammerschlag commended Finn’s bravery and quick action in returning the shark to safety, emphasizing the significance of such gestures in protecting vulnerable species.
Reflecting on the experience, Finn expressed gratitude for the outpouring of community support following his shark rescue, noting the profound connection he felt with the animal and the sense of fulfillment derived from his actions.
