The largest great white shark ever tagged in the Atlantic Ocean, named Contender, has made a sudden movement near the coast, providing valuable insights into the behaviour of these apex predators. The 14ft-long shark, weighing 750kg, was recently pinged off the coast of Georgia and South Carolina in the United States.
Contender was tagged by the non-profit organisation Ocearch in January 2025 approximately 45 miles off the Florida-Georgia coast. Since then, the shark's movements have been tracked along the eastern coast of North America, ranging from Orlando, Florida in the south to Quebec in north-west Canada. Recent pings show it has moved rapidly into deeper Atlantic waters.
John Tyminski, senior data scientist at Ocearch, noted that this sudden movement could be for foraging, but also suggested it may be related to reproduction at this time of year. Mature male white sharks like Contender, the largest male tagged by Ocearch in the Atlantic, commonly exhibit such patterns.
Ocearch said each new ping helps deepen understanding of the life history, movements and potential breeding areas of great whites, offering critical insights for conservation. The organisation has been studying these sharks for years, aiming to replace fear with facts.
