Where was the great white shark 'Bella' tagged?

The great white shark 'Bella' was tagged by OCEARCH researchers in Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia, on July 18, 2025.

Why do great white sharks migrate to Florida?

Great white sharks migrate to Florida and the Gulf waters seeking warmer temperatures and consistent food sources during the overwintering period.

What organization tracks great white sharks like Bella?

OCEARCH, a nonprofit research organization, tracks great white sharks like Bella to study ocean giants and gather scientific data.

Home / Environment / Great White Shark 'Bella' Visits Florida Coast

Great White Shark 'Bella' Visits Florida Coast

11 Mar

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Summary

A 10-foot great white shark named Bella was tracked near Sarasota.
Bella was tagged by OCEARCH off Nova Scotia in July 2025.
Great white sharks migrate to Florida waters for warmer temperatures.

Great White Shark 'Bella' Visits Florida Coast

A 10-foot great white shark, identified as Bella by OCEARCH researchers, has been detected in the Gulf waters off Sarasota, Florida. This juvenile female shark was tagged in Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia, on July 18, 2025. Since then, Bella has journeyed approximately 4,219 miles, with recent pings indicating her presence near the Florida coast.

Bella's migration is part of a larger seasonal pattern observed in North Atlantic great white sharks. These marine predators typically travel from their summer feeding grounds off Atlantic Canada and New England to overwintering spots, often as far south as Florida and the Gulf of Mexico, seeking warmer waters and reliable food sources. This migration is triggered by cooling water temperatures and shorter daylight hours.