Finn Holland, a 15-year-old animal enthusiast, sprang into action upon learning that a shark had stranded near his residence in Maces Bay, a coastal town in southern New Brunswick. On a Saturday evening, Holland and his family embarked on their side-by-side vehicle down their driveway leading to Maces Bay Beach, located southwest of Saint John.
Initially, the shark appeared severely injured, almost lifeless, but subtle movements indicated signs of life. Despite the shark’s daunting size of approximately two meters and weighing around 70 kilograms, identified later as a porbeagle shark, Holland decided to intervene. He gently guided the shark back into the ocean by its tail, and to his relief, the shark swam away.
Expressing his amazement, Holland described the experience as fascinating and nerve-wracking. His mother, Jill Holland, affirmed that Finn’s impromptu rescue mission was characteristic of his selfless nature.
Having resided in the area for over a decade, the Hollands were unaware of sharks frequenting the vicinity. Shark expert Neil Hammerschlag highlighted the rarity of such encounters in their natural habitat, emphasizing the uniqueness of spotting a porbeagle shark in shallow waters.
Hammerschlag attributed the unusual sighting to potential distress, speculating that the shark may have been unwell or entangled in fishing gear. He noted the declining population of porbeagle sharks due to overfishing, further underscoring the significance of the encounter.
While the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada recognized the porbeagle shark as endangered in the Atlantic Ocean in 2004, the federal government has yet to follow suit. Hammerschlag commended Finn’s bravery and successful shark rescue, emphasizing the importance of such acts.
Reflecting on the overwhelming community support following his heroic deed, Finn expressed a sense of fulfillment, believing that his actions resonated positively with the animal world.