Photo: lindsay_imagery / E+ / Getty Images
FLORDIA - In a groundbreaking achievement for marine research, OCEARCH has tagged its largest male great white shark to date, named 'Contender,' off the Florida-Georgia border.
On January 17, 2025, OCEARCH researchers tagged 'Contender' approximately 45 miles off the Florida-Georgia border.
Measuring 13.8 feet in length and weighing an estimated 1,653 pounds, he is the largest male great white shark tagged by the organization in the Western North Atlantic.
The shark was equipped with a SPOT tag, designed to provide real-time tracking data for up to five years.
This technology will allow scientists to monitor 'Contender's' movements and gain insights into his migration patterns.
Additionally, researchers collected biological samples, including urogenital material, which are currently under analysis.
The name 'Contender' honors Contender Boats, a long-standing partner of OCEARCH.
Their high-performance vessels have been instrumental in supporting the organization's ocean exploration and conservation missions.
As of early February 2025, 'Contender' has been detected off Florida's east coast near Jacksonville, generally remaining more than 40 miles offshore.
This distance suggests no immediate concern for beachgoers.
Great white sharks typically migrate to the waters off Florida and the Southeast during the fall and winter months in search of prey. In the spring and summer, they often move further offshore, heading northward toward the Northeast U.S. and Canada to feed on seals.
According to the International Fund for Animal Welfare, the global population of great white sharks is estimated to exceed 3,000 and is not currently considered endangered.
However, factors such as climate change and entanglements have impacted their numbers.
The SPOT tag on 'Contender' requires exposure to air for approximately 90 seconds to accurately triangulate the shark's location.
The battery life of the tag is expected to last around five years, depending on how frequently the shark surfaces.
As of late 2024, marine biologists had tagged nearly 400 sharks, with most being either great white or tiger sharks.
For those interested in following 'Contender's' journey, OCEARCH provides a shark tracker available at their website.
This milestone not only marks a significant advancement in shark research but also underscores the importance of ongoing efforts in ocean conservation.