One of the largest great white sharks ever tracked by scientists has returned to the waters off the East Coast, and his latest location has researchers taking notice.
Contender, a 1,653-pound male great white shark, was detected about nine miles south of Atlantic City, New Jersey, on Nov. 6. His appearance comes after he spent the previous four months in Canadian waters, according to marine research organization OCEARCH.
The shark measures nearly 14 feet long and holds a notable record. He is the largest male great white ever tagged by OCEARCH in the western North Atlantic.
His latest detection is particularly interesting because it places him in nearly the same area where researchers tracked him around this time last year. The repeated appearance could provide useful information about how great white sharks travel along the Atlantic coast.
OCEARCH Releases a Statement
“Contender, the largest male white shark ever tagged by OCEARCH in the Western North Atlantic, is heading south after spending the past four months in Atlantic Canada,” the organization said in a social media statement.
“His latest ping on November 6 placed him approximately nine miles south of Atlantic City, New Jersey.”
“Interestingly, Contender was detected in this same general area around this time last year,” the group added.
The latest update was reported by South West News Service.
The Shark Is Helping With Research
Contender’s movements give scientists an opportunity to compare his travel patterns across different years. If he continues returning to similar locations during particular seasons, those observations could help researchers better understand great white migration.
“Comparing his movements from one season to the next gives scientists another opportunity to learn more about his migration patterns and behavior,” OCEARCH explained.
The shark was first captured and fitted with a tracking tag on Jan. 17, 2025. Researchers found him approximately 45 miles off the Florida-Georgia border.
Since then, his movements have helped the organization follow his travels through the western North Atlantic. His journey has included time in Canadian waters before his recent trip south toward New Jersey.
Great white sharks are known to travel long distances, and tracking individual animals can help researchers learn where they go and how their movements change throughout the year.
Contender’s latest appearance does not necessarily mean he will remain near Atlantic City. However, his return to a familiar stretch of coastline gives researchers another data point as they study the movements of one of the region’s most notable tagged sharks.
For now, scientists will continue following his journey as he makes his way along the Atlantic coast.
Massive Great White Shark Contender Resurfaces Near Atlantic City