A massive great white shark, named “Contender,” has been tagged off the Florida-Georgia coast, marking a new milestone in shark research. The male shark, measuring 13 feet 9 inches and weighing 1,653 pounds, is now the largest ever recorded in the Atlantic Ocean. The shark was tagged by the nonprofit research group OCEARCH on January 17, 2025, and has since “pinged” multiple times as its dorsal fin breaches the surface, allowing satellites to track its movements.
The tagging took place 45 miles off the coast of Florida, in waters between Florida and Georgia. Since then, “Contender” has traveled approximately 292 miles. While this shark holds the record for the largest male great white in the Atlantic, it is still dwarfed by the massive “Deep Blue,” a female shark that swims in the Pacific. Deep Blue, the largest known great white in the world, is estimated to measure between 18 and 19 feet in length.
Great white sharks are known to migrate along the U.S. East Coast, moving south from New England to warmer waters when food becomes scarce. This migration pattern explains why “Contender” has been detected in offshore waters of Florida. In contrast, Deep Blue is believed to have migrated from the Pacific Coast of Mexico to Hawaii, where marine biologist Ocean Ramsey had the rare opportunity to dive with the shark, which is estimated to be around 70 years old.
Florida’s coastline is familiar with shark populations, with New Smyrna Beach famously earning the title of the “shark bite capital of the world.” While shark encounters can be alarming, they are often a result of curiosity rather than aggression. For more information on shark safety, check out our comprehensive guide, created in collaboration with shark conservationist Madison Stewart, also known as “Shark Girl Madison,” a renowned advocate for shark education and protection.
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