A nearly 14-foot great white shark named Contender, the largest ever tagged in the Atlantic by Ocearch, was recently tracked off Nantucket, Massachusetts, after traveling over 1,000 miles from Florida. The shark, which is estimated to weigh 1,653 pounds, is part of a growing effort to understand shark migration patterns and behavior through tagging and tracking. Ocearch, a nonprofit marine research organization, has been monitoring the movements of great white sharks globally, providing valuable insights for conservation and public safety.
Named ‘Contender’ after a well-known boat brand, the shark was recently tracked several dozen miles off Nantucket, Massachusetts, a popular summer destination. Located roughly 100 miles south of Boston and 30 miles from Cape Cod, the island is a well-known tourist hotspot. The detection, or ‘ping,’ occurs when the tracking device on the shark’s dorsal fin briefly surfaces and sends a location signal to Ocearch’s tracking system. For a ping to register, Contender’s dorsal fin must break water and an Argos satellite must be nearby to record the shark’s location.
Researchers estimate Contender to be about 32 years old. While great whites typically live between 30 and 40 years, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reports that some can reach 70. Since being tagged in January near the Florida-Georgia line, he has pinged more than 40 times. After heading south to Vero Beach, Florida, by February, he then began a 1,000-mile trek northward. According to Ocearch, great white sharks like Contender migrate northward in spring and early summer in search of cooler, prey-rich waters.
Fans can follow his journey, along with other sharks, in real-time through the free OCEARCH Global Shark Tracker app. The tracking data not only helps scientists understand the sharks’ movements but also provides the public with real-time updates, enhancing awareness and education about these apex predators. The shark’s journey highlights the complex interplay between marine ecosystems and human activities, offering a glimpse into the lives of these formidable creatures.