Deep-sea fishing has always been a family tradition for Brendan and his uncle, spanning vacations and shared memories on the water. But last year’s Costa Rican fishing trip took an unforgettable turn.

While studying abroad for the summer, Brendan joined his family on an expedition where they reeled in a powerful sailfish.

After the catch-and-release moment, the fish struggled to regain its strength, lingering in the water.

Without hesitation, the guides asked Brendan if he wanted to assist, and he jumped in, literally, to help the exhausted sailfish swim away.

My little brother and my uncle have been fishing together my brother’s whole life. They always charter a deep sea fishing trip whenever we’re on vacation. Last year, we went to Costa Rica, as my brother was doing a study abroad there for the summer through Texas A&M. After they caught this sailfish, they released it, but it was too exhausted to swim away. The guides asked Brendan if he wanted to jump into to help the sailfish, and he of course jumped at the opportunity!