Finn Holland, a 15-year-old animal lover from Maces Bay in southern New Brunswick, sprang into action upon hearing that a shark had washed up on the nearby shore. With a strong sense of responsibility, Finn and his family rushed to the beach in their side-by-side vehicle on Saturday evening, where they found the injured shark lying motionless.
Despite initial concerns about the shark’s size and weight – measuring around two meters in length and weighing approximately 70 kilograms – Finn decided to assist the creature. After carefully guiding the shark into the water by its tail, Finn watched as it swam away, relieved that he could help.
Finn’s mother, Jill Holland, praised her son’s spontaneous act of kindness, noting that it was characteristic of his caring nature. The family, residing in Maces Bay for over a decade, had never encountered sharks in the area before, making this incident a rare and unexpected occurrence.
According to Neil Hammerschlag, a shark expert, sightings of porbeagle sharks in their natural habitat are uncommon, especially without human intervention like fishing activities. Porbeagles have the unique ability to regulate their body temperature, allowing them to navigate the colder waters of Atlantic Canada and New England. However, finding one in shallow waters is unusual and may indicate underlying distress or previous entanglement with fishing gear.
Hammerschlag emphasized that the decline in porbeagle shark populations due to overfishing has made encounters like Finn’s rescue even rarer. Despite the species being declared endangered in the Atlantic Ocean in 2004, no official protections have been implemented by the federal government.
Finn, overwhelmed by the community’s positive response to his actions, expressed his satisfaction in knowing that he had made a difference in the shark’s life. Reflecting on the experience, he found solace in the unspoken gratitude of animals, reinforcing his belief that he had done the right thing.
