News Summary
Contender, the largest male great white shark ever tagged, has embarked on a remarkable migration along the Atlantic coast, traveling approximately 1,870 miles since being tagged. Measuring nearly 14 feet long and weighing around 1,653 pounds, Contender’s journey demonstrates the migratory patterns of great white sharks as he navigates waters from Jacksonville to North Carolina. The tagging technology employed by OCEARCH provides real-time data about his movements, offering insights into the behaviors and ecological importance of these apex predators.
Jacksonville, Florida – A remarkable marine event has captured the attention of scientists and shark enthusiasts alike as Contender, the largest male great white shark ever tagged, embarks on an impressive migration along the Atlantic coast. Since being tagged by the marine research organization OCEARCH on January 17, 2025, Contender has traveled approximately 1,870 miles, demonstrating both the vast range and migratory patterns typical of great white sharks.
Measuring nearly 14 feet long and weighing around 1,653 pounds, Contender was initially tagged roughly 45 miles off the coast of Jacksonville. His migration patterns have recently brought him to waters near North Carolina, where he was last pinged about 22 miles off Cape Hatteras on June 11, 2025. These movements align with the common behavior observed in great white sharks as they typically migrate north during the summer months in search of cooler waters and abundant prey.
Tracking and Migration Patterns
The tracking system employed by researchers has provided invaluable real-time data regarding Contender’s movements and behavioral patterns. Alerts, known as “pings,” indicate his geographic location and have revealed that he is currently swimming toward the rich feeding grounds of the Outer Banks. These areas are historically known to attract great white sharks as they transition from southern winter waters to northern summer habitats.
Over the past 142 days, Contender’s journey has featured a series of tracking alerts highlighting significant shifts in his location. Researchers observed earlier pings on January 26 and February 6, marking different points in his extensive migration. Each ping enhances scientists’ understanding of the migration, feeding habits, and overall survival patterns of great white sharks.
Unique Features of Contender
OCEARCH has described Contender as the “ultimate ocean warrior,” underscoring his status as an apex predator in the marine ecosystem. This designation highlights the critical role that such species play in maintaining the ecological balance of ocean environments. The data collected from Contender’s tracking will aid in gauging the health and dynamics of marine ecosystems, particularly in the areas he frequents.
The tag attached to Contender is designed to transmit data for up to five years, providing scientists with a long-term understanding of his movements and patterns. This technology allows for tracking not only the individual shark but also the behavior of great white sharks collectively as they navigate their migratory routes across the Atlantic Ocean.
Understanding Great White Sharks
Great white sharks, including individuals like Contender, are known to travel significant distances in search of optimal feeding conditions. During their seasonal migrations, these sharks typically target richer food sources found in the northeastern U.S. waters and Atlantic Canada. Researchers note that the brief disappearances noted in Contender’s tracking data could correlate with necessary feeding periods when he may dive deeper into the ocean where signals may not be detected.
As migration patterns unfold, OCEARCH continues to encourage the public to engage with the data through accessible platforms, such as the OCEARCH Global Shark Tracker app. This user-friendly tool allows anyone interested in marine life to follow Contender’s journey in real time, fostering a greater appreciation for the complexities of ocean ecology and the species that inhabit it.
Conclusion
Contender’s incredible journey along the Atlantic coast highlights the fascinating world of great white sharks and underscores the importance of marine research in understanding and conserving these apex predators. As he continues to navigate his migration route, the insights gained will contribute to both scientific knowledge and public awareness of these majestic creatures.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Baltimore News: Community Highlights and Concerns
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Additional Resources
- USA Today: Great White Shark Tracking
- Fox Weather: Largest Great White Shark Contender
- CBS 17: Biggest Great White Shark Resurfaces
- Times Now News: 14-Foot Long Great White Shark
- CBS News: Biggest Great White Shark Ever Recorded
- Wikipedia: Great White Shark
- Google Search: Great White Shark Contender
- Google Scholar: Great White Shark Migration
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Great White Shark
- Google News: Great White Shark
