Giant White Shark Spotted Off US Coast

A massive 13-foot-9-inch great white shark, dubbed “Contender,” has been spotted off the coast of New England, sparking interest among marine researchers. Weighing 1,653 pounds, Contender is the largest male white shark ever tagged in the western Atlantic by OCEARCH, a nonprofit organization.

According to data scientist John Tyminski, Contender’s second ping on July 18 showed that he had moved about 62 miles east of Nantucket Island. This movement north is typical for white sharks during their northern migration to summer-fall foraging areas.

The shark primarily feeds on seals and other marine mammals in two main regions: Cape Cod and Atlantic Canada, where healthy seal populations are abundant. Researchers believe Contender is taking a rest stop at the Outer Banks, likely due to the rich food resources available in this area.

Contender’s SPOT tag will provide valuable real-time data for approximately five years, helping researchers track his movements and understand migration patterns. The shark’s size makes it one of the largest recorded Atlantic males, with an estimated maximum size of about 20 feet.

White sharks are known to be responsible for more fatal attacks on humans than any other species, primarily due to their size, power, and feeding behavior.

Source: https://www.newsweek.com/massive-great-white-pings-off-massachusetts-coast-contender-2103594