by Atlantic City, NJ – The largest male great white shark ever recorded in the Atlantic Ocean has made his latest appearance off the New Jersey coast, according to researchers from OCEARCH, a global nonprofit organization that studies marine life and ocean ecosystems.
Massive Predator Returns South
The massive shark, named Contender, weighs an astonishing 1,653 pounds and measures 13 feet long. Scientists estimate he is about 32 years old.
OCEARCH tagged the adult male shark in January 2024 off the Florida–Georgia coastline, where he began a months-long migration up the East Coast.
After spending time in the waters off North Carolina, Massachusetts, and Canada, Contender has now been pinged near Atlantic City, signaling the start of his southward migration for the winter season.
Tracking Contender’s Journey
Since being tagged, Contender’s movements have provided researchers with valuable insights into great white shark migration patterns.
“Each ping adds another clue to the puzzle of white shark migration in the Western North Atlantic—and our team is tracking every move,” OCEARCH said in a statement.
The organization explained that for a ping to register, Contender’s dorsal fin must break the water’s surface while an Argos satellite is within range to record his exact location.
Between April and mid-June, Contender was frequently detected near the Outer Banks in North Carolina and later 22 miles off Cape Hatteras.
In July, he was tracked again off the Massachusetts coast, before vanishing for several months. He later reappeared in late September near Pointe-Parent, Quebec, before making his way south again by October 29.
Read Also: Popular Fried Chicken Restaurant Opening First Illinois Location Near Chicago
Heading Back to Warmer Waters
Researchers believe Contender is likely heading back toward Florida’s warmer waters, which provide a richer supply of prey and more comfortable conditions for wintering great whites.
By early November, his latest ping placed him just a few miles off the coast of Atlantic City, confirming that the apex predator has officially reentered U.S. waters.
OCEARCH continues to monitor his movements as part of its effort to understand shark behavior, breeding, and migration in the Western North Atlantic.
Track Contender in Real Time
Fans and ocean enthusiasts can track Contender and other sharks through the OCEARCH Global Shark Tracker app, which allows users to follow satellite updates in real time.
For more fascinating wildlife stories and coastal updates, visit mikeandjonpodcast.com.
