Home / Environment / Massive Great White Shark Detected Near Quebec After 845-Mile Swim
Massive Great White Shark Detected Near Quebec After 845-Mile Swim
1 Oct
Summary
- 14-foot, 1,653-pound great white shark tracked by OCEARCH
- Shark named "Contender" has covered 845 miles in recent weeks
- Shark prefers Atlantic Canada for foraging during summer months
On October 1st, 2025, researchers from the non-profit organization OCEARCH detected the presence of the world's largest known great white shark off the coast of Quebec, Canada. The 14-foot, 1,653-pound shark, nicknamed "Contender," has been tracked by OCEARCH since being tagged in January 2025 off the southeastern United States.
In the past few weeks, Contender has embarked on an incredible 845-mile journey, covering an average of 11.5 miles per day. The shark was last detected on July 18th, 2025, heading towards Martha's Vineyard, a popular vacation spot. However, he has now moved into the Gulf of St. Lawrence and is currently located about 7 miles north of Anticosti Island, just off the Quebec coast.
According to OCEARCH's senior data scientist, John Tyminski, this migration pattern suggests that the 30-year-old great white prefers to spend his summers foraging in the waters of Atlantic Canada. While the researchers are unsure of Contender's next destination, they expect him to begin his southern migration by mid-October as the water temperatures drop and the days grow shorter.
