The largest male white shark ever tagged in the western North Atlantic, known as “Contender”, was recently detected near North Carolina’s Outer Banks. This alert came from a GPS tracking device attached to the impressive 14-foot shark, which is being monitored by the non-profit organization OCEARCH.
Although the device did not reveal Contender’s precise location, experts believe the nearly 1,700-pound shark is likely migrating up the East Coast, which coincides with the sharks’ annual summer migration. A spokesperson from OCEARCH explained that white sharks in this region usually travel north to feed in the waters of Cape Cod or Atlantic Canada during the warmer months.
The waters in this area offer suitable temperatures and an abundant food supply, including grey seals and larger fish species. Contender was last located in this region in April, around the same area where the device was triggered this week.
While Contender is substantial, he is not the largest known white shark. Another shark, named Deep Blue, has been seen off Hawaii and measures about 20 feet, weighing an estimated 4,500 pounds.
Contender was initially tagged in January last year and has since journeyed over 7,000 miles across the Atlantic. The device is expected to provide ongoing data about his movements for up to five years, offering insights into the behaviour and diet of mature male white sharks. Contender was named after the boat company Contender Boats, which supports OCEARCH’s research efforts.
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