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In January 2025, researchers from OCEARCH tagged a massive great white shark named Contender off the coast of Florida. Measuring nearly 14 feet in length and weighing approximately 1,652.8 pounds, Contender is the largest shark ever tagged by the organization in the southwest Atlantic.
Contender was tagged on January 17, 2025, about 45 miles off the Florida-Georgia border. Since then, he has been tracked moving south along the Gulf Stream, with recent pings indicating his presence off Florida’s east coast. The shark is equipped with a SPOT tag that transmits real-time location data whenever his dorsal fin breaks the water’s surface, allowing researchers to monitor his movements and behavior over the next several years.
This tagging effort is part of OCEARCH’s broader mission to study the migratory patterns of great white sharks. Typically, these sharks migrate to Florida and southeastern U.S. waters during the fall and winter months in search of prey, before moving northward to the northeastern U.S. and Canada in the spring and summer. The data collected from Contender and other tagged sharks provide valuable insights into their behavior, aiding in conservation and management efforts.
While Contender’s size is impressive, it’s important to note that he tends to stay far offshore, often more than 40 miles from the coast. Therefore, beachgoers need not be overly concerned about encountering this ocean giant during their visits to Florida’s beaches.
The successful tagging of Contender marks a significant milestone in marine research, offering a unique opportunity to deepen our understanding of these majestic creatures that inhabit the waters off Florida’s coast.
Key Points: Largest Shark Found Off the Coast of Florida
• Shark Identification: A massive great white shark named Contender was tagged by OCEARCH off the coast of Florida.
• Size and Weight: Contender measures nearly 14 feet in length and weighs 1,652.8 pounds, making it the largest shark ever tagged in the southwest Atlantic.
• Tagging Location: The shark was tagged on January 17, 2025, about 45 miles off the Florida-Georgia border.
• Tracking Movement: Contender has been tracked moving south along the Gulf Stream, with recent pings showing activity off Florida’s east coast.
• Purpose of Research: The tagging is part of OCEARCH’s study of great white shark migration patterns, helping conservation and management efforts.
• Shark Behavior: Great white sharks migrate to Florida waters in fall and winter for food before heading north in warmer months.
• Beach Safety: Contender stays far offshore (over 40 miles), posing no immediate threat to beachgoers.
• Scientific Significance: Tracking Contender provides valuable data on shark behavior, movement, and conservation needs.
Conclusion
The discovery and tagging of Contender, the largest great white shark recorded in the southwest Atlantic, mark a significant achievement in marine research. At 14 feet long and 1,652.8 pounds, this ocean giant offers invaluable insights into the migration and behavior of great white sharks. OCEARCH’s tracking efforts will help scientists better understand these apex predators, ultimately aiding in their conservation. While Contender’s presence highlights the rich biodiversity of Florida’s waters, his tendency to stay far offshore ensures that beachgoers have little reason for concern. As research continues, Contender’s journey will contribute to the ongoing efforts to protect and preserve the world’s shark populations.
Attached is a news article regarding the largest shark found off the coast of Florida
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/33255713/biggest-shark-ever-tagged-florida/amp/
Article written and configured by Christopher Stanley
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