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Largest male great white shark ever detected on Atlantic coast emerges near top vacation spot
The Independent • • science
Key Points:
- The largest male white shark tagged in the western North Atlantic, named "Contender," was detected near North Carolina’s Outer Banks, signaling its likely northward migration along the East Coast.
- Contender, measuring 14 feet and weighing nearly 1,700 pounds, was first tagged in January 2022 and has since traveled over 7,000 miles between Florida and Canada.
- White sharks in this region typically migrate north in summer to forage in areas like Cape Cod and Atlantic Canada, where they feed on seals, large fish, and schools of menhaden.
- The GPS tag on Contender provides real-time data for up to five years, offering valuable insights into the movements and behavior of mature male white sharks.
- Contender is named after Contender Boats, a partner of OCEARCH, the non-profit organization tracking these sharks to aid in population recovery efforts.
