Meet ‘Contender’: The Mighty Male Great White Shark Dominating the North Atlantic Coast

Contender is a massive male great white shark recently caught, tagged, and released by OCEARCH. Measuring 4.19 meters (about 13 feet 9 inches), he roams the US East Coast, raising hopes for the recovery of the region’s great white population.

He was captured off Florida and Georgia on January 17, 2025, about 72 kilometers (45 miles) from shore. After being tagged, his tracker showed him moving down the coastline. He went quiet for nearly a month but later reappeared near North Carolina. As of July 18, he was near Cape Cod, a hotspot for shark activity.

Great white sharks, scientifically known as Carcharodon carcharias, are known for their extensive migrations. They can travel thousands of kilometers but mainly exist in three distinct populations in the North Atlantic, North Pacific, and Indo-Pacific. These groups split from each other 100,000 to 200,000 years ago and rarely mix.

Contender weighs around 750 kilograms (1,653 pounds), which is impressive for a male. Male great whites typically measure 3.4 to 4.0 meters (11 to 13 feet), while females are larger, averaging 4.6 to 4.9 meters (15 to 16 feet). Contender stands out not just for his size but also for his potential role in the ecosystem.

Dr. Harley Newton, OCEARCH’s chief veterinarian, remarked on his importance. “At 14 feet, he’s likely in his early 30s. He’s a key player in the breeding population, which is vital for reviving the western North Atlantic white shark numbers,” she explained.

While Contender is significant, OCEARCH has tagged larger females. Mary Lee, for instance, measures 4.8 meters (16 feet) and weighs about 1,197 kilograms (2,639 pounds). There’s also Nukumi, measuring 5.2 meters (17 feet 2 inches), who hasn’t been sighted since 2021.

The record for the largest great white belongs to Deep Blue, a female over 6 meters (20 feet) long and believed to be around 50. First spotted in the 1990s, she has become an urban legend of sorts, with very few confirmed sightings since.

Statistics show that great white shark populations have faced serious decline over the years, primarily due to overfishing and habitat loss. However, recent conservation efforts, like those from OCEARCH, aim to protect these majestic creatures.

Tracking sharks like Contender not only helps scientists understand their movements but also emphasizes the importance of marine conservation. Continued research and awareness are crucial for the future of great whites and the balance of marine ecosystems. For more detailed information on shark conservation, visit the OCEARCH website.

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