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Meet Contender, the Largest Male Great White Shark

Contender the Great White Shark

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News Summary

Off the coast of Florida, researchers from OCEARCH have tagged a massive male great white shark named Contender, measuring 13 feet, 9 inches and weighing 1,653 pounds. Contender is the largest male white shark ever studied in the northwestern Atlantic. Since his tagging on January 17, 2025, he has already traveled around 290 miles, contributing valuable data for shark behavior and conservation efforts. This shark is a remarkable discovery, aiding researchers in understanding migration patterns and habitat preferences.

Breaking News from the Coast: Meet Contender, the Largest Male Great White Shark!

Welcome, ocean lovers and adventure seekers! Exciting news has surfaced just off the beautiful coast of Florida. Researchers from the non-profit organization OCEARCH have accomplished an extraordinary feat by tagging a massive male great white shark named Contender. This impressive creature is now officially the largest male white shark ever caught and studied in the northwestern Atlantic!

Meet Contender: A Shark Like No Other!

Measuring a whopping 13 feet, 9 inches (that’s about 4.2 meters!), and weighing in at around 1,653 pounds (or around 750 kilograms), Contender is a sight to behold! This tagging event took place on January 17, 2025, approximately 45 miles (about 70 kilometers) east of the Georgia-Florida coastline. Thanks to OCEARCH, folks on social media can now see the stunning moment Contender was caught and safely released back into the ocean.

Contender’s Journey

Since he was tagged, Contender has already embarked on an adventure, swimming around 290 miles (almost 470 kilometers)! He made waves off the Brevard County coast of Florida on February 10, 2025, right before the much-anticipated SpaceX Falcon 9 launch. Just a few weeks earlier, on January 26, 2025, he surfaced in Florida waters, pinging three times off the Fernandina Beach coast. Researchers noted a zig-zag swimming pattern between Amelia Island and Jacksonville Beach before he continued his journey south.

Why Is This Important?

OCEARCH isn’t just thrilled about Contender for fun—this shark is a crucial find for research! He is only the third adult white shark captured during their winter tagging efforts. Typically, adult male white sharks reach maturity around the age of 26 years and grow to about 11.5 feet (or roughly 3.5 meters). Contender, however, measures an impressive 9 inches (nearly 23 centimeters) longer than the average, which makes him a rare specimen. It’s fascinating to note that female great white sharks can grow nearly twice as large as their male counterparts, reaching lengths of up to 20 feet (about 6.1 meters).

Tracking Contender’s Movements

To help researchers follow Contender’s travels, they attached a smart position and temperature transmitting (SPOT) tag on his dorsal fin. This nifty gadget allows scientists to track his movements and gather data on what depths he likes to swim at and what temperatures he prefers. Additionally, a pop-up satellite archival tag (PSAT) will detach after six months to provide even more detailed information about Contender’s underwater escapades.

The Bigger Picture

Researchers at OCEARCH have tagged a total of 125 white sharks along the Eastern Seaboard and in Nova Scotia. Why is all of this important, you ask? Well, by studying these magnificent creatures, scientists can better understand their behavior and migration patterns, which is crucial for effective conservation efforts. Great white sharks often migrate south during the winter months to seek warmer waters and better food availability.

Join the Adventure!

Curious about Contender and other tagged sharks? OCEARCH encourages the public to dive in and track their movements through their website or mobile app. While the global population of great white sharks isn’t precisely known, estimates suggest there are anywhere from 3,000 to over 10,000 of these formidable beasts swimming the oceans. So why not join the adventure and learn more about these incredible creatures today?

Stay tuned, ocean aficionados—more exciting shark news is on the horizon. Until then, keep your eyes on the waves!