Home / Environment / Great White Shark's Epic 1-Year Migration Tracked
Great White Shark's Epic 1-Year Migration Tracked
21 Jan
Summary
- A 14-foot great white shark named Contender completed a year-long migration.
- The shark traveled from Florida to the Gulf of St. Lawrence and back.
- Researchers hope to learn about great white shark reproductive behaviors.
The largest recorded male great white shark in the Atlantic, nicknamed Contender, has resurfaced after a remarkable year-long migration. This 14-foot, 1,700-pound shark, tagged off the Florida-Georgia border on January 17, 2025, embarked on an extensive journey reaching as far north as the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
Researchers from OCEARCH are keenly observing Contender's return to warmer coastal waters, as this timing may align with potential mating seasons. The deployed SPOT tag is expected to provide valuable data for approximately five years, aiding scientists in understanding great white migration patterns and reproductive behaviors.
Contender's migration is among the longest recorded for a great white in the Atlantic. His journey took him along the coasts of Canada and near Jacksonville, Florida. Scientists are eager to see if Contender encounters other mature sharks, both male and female, in the coming months, which could offer critical clues about mating activities. Further research involves blood sampling and hormone analysis to decode great white reproduction.
