Fifteen-year-old Finn Holland has a passion for animals, which led him to assist a stranded shark near his home in Maces Bay, a coastal community in southern New Brunswick.
Over the weekend, Finn and his family drove to the beach in Maces Bay, where they discovered a shark in distress. Despite initial concerns about its size and weight, Finn took action by gently guiding the shark back into the ocean.
The shark, later identified as a porbeagle shark, appeared to be in a weakened state but eventually swam away after Finn’s intervention.
Finn’s mother, Jill Holland, praised her son’s swift and compassionate response, noting that it was typical of his caring nature.
The sighting of the shark in the area was deemed rare by a shark expert, Neil Hammerschlag. He explained that porbeagle sharks, known for their ability to regulate body temperature, are not commonly found in shallow waters like those off the New Brunswick coast.
Hammerschlag speculated that the shark may have been distressed or injured, possibly due to interactions with fishing gear. He also highlighted the declining population of porbeagle sharks due to overfishing, making encounters like this one increasingly uncommon.
While the species was declared endangered in the Atlantic Ocean in 2004, the federal government has yet to take action to protect them.
Finn expressed gratitude for the community’s support following the shark rescue, emphasizing the importance of helping animals in need, even if they cannot directly show appreciation.
Overall, Finn’s act of kindness towards the shark has garnered praise and admiration from his community, showcasing the positive impact of compassion towards wildlife.