Massive male great white shark detected near North Carolina's Outer Banks
A 1,700-pound, 14-foot great white shark tagged by OCEARCH was detected near the Outer Banks, suggesting it is moving northward as part of its seasonal migration.
A satellite-linked GPS tag on a 14-foot, roughly 1,700-pound male great white shark, known as “Contender,” transmitted a signal on Thursday evening near North Carolina’s Outer Banks. The tag, which pings when the shark is out of the water, is part of a monitoring program run by the nonprofit OCEARCH.
OCEARCH officials said the shark is likely heading north along the East Coast, following the typical summer migration pattern of white sharks in the western North Atlantic. > "White sharks in the western North Atlantic typically migrate north and spend the summer and early fall foraging in the waters of Cape Cod or Atlantic Canada," a spokesperson said.
The region provides suitable water temperatures and abundant prey such as grey seals and large fish. Researchers note that white sharks also feed on schools of menhaden off Long Island, New York.
Contender was first tagged in January of the previous year off Florida and Georgia and has since traveled more than 7,000 miles, moving between Florida and the Gulf of St. Lawrence in Canada. The tag is expected to transmit data for up to five years, offering insights into the movements and feeding habits of mature male great whites.
The shark’s name honors Contender Boats, a partner of OCEARCH. The tag’s data will help scientists monitor the species’ recovery and behavior.