A distressed shark rescued by disabled sailors is recovering in the National Aquarium in Napier after being burped.
The shark was grabbed near Ahuriri by 16-year-old Robbie Love, who has Asperger's Syndrome.
He was in the Sailability support boat when sailors noticed seagulls circling a shark in difficulty.
They phoned the National Aquarium,
who said to bring it in to them - if they could catch it.
The Havelock North student grabbed the shark by the tail and heaved it aboard.
Aquarium staff said it was likely it had been on board a fishing boat and gulped down a lot of air.
They decided to operate. "Scotty [aquarist Geofs Scott] put a tube down the shark's throat to release air bubbles," Robbie said. "Mum said this happened at the hospital on a Saturday night when people drink too much alcohol.
"Once the air was released the shark was able to sink to the bottom of the quarantine tank and looked much happier," he said.
"Scotty said the shark was a female and will stay in the holding tank until they are sure she will be okay. I have named the shark BP because she was full of gas."
Carpet sharks have small teeth but are capable of injury. They eat crustaceans, octopus and squid.
They are nocturnal and usually stay at the bottom of the sea which is why they are called carpet sharks.
Sailability is a voluntary organisation that gives disabled children the opportunity to experience autonomy and independence through sailing.
