When 15-year-old Finn Holland discovered a porbeagle shark — a species of mackerel shark known to live in the cold temperatures of the North Atlantic — at Maces Bay, he knew he had to act to save its life.
It was just a normal day for Finn until his family found out from a neighbour that there was a shark on the beach right across from their home.
Finn thought that it would be interesting to see a shark until he saw its condition.
“It was gonna die if someone didn’t do something,” Finn said. “I have to help this shark; it’s the right thing to do.”
The roughly two-metre-long shark weighed about 70 kilograms (154 pounds) and was already too weak to fight back as Finn dragged it toward the water.
“It didn’t feel like fish scales; it felt like rough skin, like sandpaper,” he said.
For Finn, the moment was surreal.
“I felt like, wow, this thing is heavy,” Holland said. “And I am actually doing this.”
Finn’s decision to pull the shark to safety didn’t quite sit right with his mother, Jill Holland. As a biologist, Jill initially believed the animal should be left alone, but as a mother, she was worried about what could happen to her son.
“I was like, ‘Okay, well I’m going to go to the hospital today,’” Jill said, worried the shark could injure Finn.
Despite her concerns, Jill said she ultimately had to trust Finn as he continued helping the shark back into the water.
Finn said the shark initially needed help finding its way back into deeper water, and he spent about 10 minutes redirecting it before it was able to swim away.
Finn explained that he loves helping people and animals, and this shark was no exception. He said the support he has received online since the rescue has also made him feel a sense of recognition.
Once the shark was able to swim away, Finn said he was relieved.
“I’m proud of myself and I’m glad that it’s okay,” Finn said.
Finn said his family has also been supportive of his decision to help the shark, including his mother, Jill.
“I just had to trust him because it all worked out in the end,” Jill said. “And of course I was incredibly proud after that.”
