Fifteen-year-old Finn Holland, an animal lover, sprang into action upon learning that a shark had washed ashore near his residence in Maces Bay, a coastal community in southern New Brunswick. Over the weekend, Finn and his family drove down to the beach at Maces Bay where they found the injured shark. Despite its initial appearance of near lifelessness, Finn noticed subtle movements, prompting him to assist the creature.
With caution due to its size—measuring about two meters in length and weighing approximately 70 kilograms—the shark, later identified as a porbeagle shark, was guided back into the water by Finn. Jill Holland, Finn’s mother, expressed her lack of surprise at her son’s quick intervention, highlighting his natural inclination to help without hesitation.
The presence of a shark in the area was a rare occurrence, according to shark expert Neil Hammerschlag, who noted that such encounters, particularly in their natural habitat without human interference, are uncommon. Porbeagle sharks, unlike most species, can regulate their body temperature, enabling them to navigate cooler waters like those found in Atlantic Canada and New England. The expert suggested that the shark’s presence in shallow waters may indicate distress, possibly due to illness or previous entanglement in fishing gear.
Hammerschlag emphasized the dwindling population of porbeagle sharks over the years as a result of overfishing, making encounters like this one increasingly rare. Despite the lack of federal endangered status for the species, the efforts of individuals like Finn in aiding distressed wildlife are commendable. Finn, in reflecting on the experience, acknowledged the non-verbal gratitude from animals, which further solidified his belief in doing the right thing.