Largest white shark ever caught, tagged pings near Florida coast
The largest male white shark ever caught, tagged, and released is making its way towards Florida’s east coast, specifically near Jacksonville. Contender, a massive 13.8-foot, 1,653-pound adult shark, was tagged on January 17 in the western Northwest Atlantic, just off the Florida-Georgia border.
Recent data shows that Contender is heading south, with his most recent sighting near St. Augustine around 10 a.m. on Thursday. OCEARCH, the research group responsible for tagging Contender, is closely monitoring his movements as he approaches Jacksonville.
In a Facebook post, OCEARCH mentioned that Contender will provide valuable real-time data for approximately five years. The tag on Contender needs to be exposed to the air for about 90 seconds to accurately triangulate the shark’s location. This data will help researchers track the shark’s migration patterns and better understand its behavior.
During the tagging process, OCEARCH also collected important biological samples from Contender, including urogenital material, which are currently being analyzed for further insights. Contender’s name pays tribute to the Contender Boats company, a partner of OCEARCH known for its commitment to performance and innovation in ocean exploration and conservation efforts.
Great white sharks like Contender often migrate from their summer feeding grounds to warmer waters with more abundant food sources. Marine biologists have tagged nearly 400 sharks, predominantly great whites or tiger sharks, as of late 2024, according to Fox 13 reports.
The research and tracking of sharks like Contender are crucial for marine conservation efforts and understanding these magnificent creatures better. Stay tuned for more updates on Contender’s journey as he continues his migration along Florida’s east coast.
This article was rewritten and adapted from the original source with permission from the author, Alexandra Koch, a breaking news writer for Fox News Digital.
