Great White Shark Tracked Off Jersey Shore is Largest Known Male - A 1,653-pound great white shark has been tracked off the Atlantic City coast, providing researchers with valuable insights into the species' migration patterns. According to Ocearch, a Florida-based non-profit organization that tracks and tags sharks worldwide, Contender's journey offers a rare glimpse into the life of a mature male white shark.
The 13.8-foot-long shark, estimated to be around 32 years old, is considered one of the largest male great whites in the western North Atlantic Ocean. Males generally live longer than females, but the females tend to grow bigger. Contender's size and age make him an exceptional specimen for researchers.
Ocearch founder Chris Fischer stated that every ping from Contender gives them a window into the life of a mature male white shark, revealing how he moves, feeds, and contributes to the population's recovery. The organization has outfitted over 400 sharks with transmitter tags, which log the sharks' geographic coordinates by sending signals when their dorsal fins break the surface within range of satellites.
The recent sighting off the Jersey Shore is not an isolated incident; great white sharks have been tracked in the area before. In fact, Contender is part of a growing list of sharks that have made appearances off the New Jersey coast over the last decade. Other notable mentions include Ironbound, Mary Lee, and Breton, who have all pinged near New Jersey at various points.
Ocearch's data suggests that great white sharks are not endangered in the Atlantic Ocean, but their distribution varies by region and season. The species' numbers have been rising in the Northwest Atlantic since the 1990s, with Canadian waters serving as a vital summer feeding area. In contrast, the Southeast U.S. is home to a smaller population of great whites that migrate to Canadian waters during the summer months.
The organization's annual expeditions to find live sharks and attach tags have led to numerous discoveries, including the identification of juvenile shark nurseries off the coast of Long Island. These findings have helped wildlife officials prioritize managing the species in areas where they are most vulnerable.
As Contender continues to swim through the Atlantic Ocean, Ocearch will continue to track his movements for about five years, providing valuable insights into the life of a mature male great white shark. The organization's efforts demonstrate the power of collaboration between science, innovation, and the public in advancing our understanding of these incredible creatures.
The 13.8-foot-long shark, estimated to be around 32 years old, is considered one of the largest male great whites in the western North Atlantic Ocean. Males generally live longer than females, but the females tend to grow bigger. Contender's size and age make him an exceptional specimen for researchers.
Ocearch founder Chris Fischer stated that every ping from Contender gives them a window into the life of a mature male white shark, revealing how he moves, feeds, and contributes to the population's recovery. The organization has outfitted over 400 sharks with transmitter tags, which log the sharks' geographic coordinates by sending signals when their dorsal fins break the surface within range of satellites.
The recent sighting off the Jersey Shore is not an isolated incident; great white sharks have been tracked in the area before. In fact, Contender is part of a growing list of sharks that have made appearances off the New Jersey coast over the last decade. Other notable mentions include Ironbound, Mary Lee, and Breton, who have all pinged near New Jersey at various points.
Ocearch's data suggests that great white sharks are not endangered in the Atlantic Ocean, but their distribution varies by region and season. The species' numbers have been rising in the Northwest Atlantic since the 1990s, with Canadian waters serving as a vital summer feeding area. In contrast, the Southeast U.S. is home to a smaller population of great whites that migrate to Canadian waters during the summer months.
The organization's annual expeditions to find live sharks and attach tags have led to numerous discoveries, including the identification of juvenile shark nurseries off the coast of Long Island. These findings have helped wildlife officials prioritize managing the species in areas where they are most vulnerable.
As Contender continues to swim through the Atlantic Ocean, Ocearch will continue to track his movements for about five years, providing valuable insights into the life of a mature male great white shark. The organization's efforts demonstrate the power of collaboration between science, innovation, and the public in advancing our understanding of these incredible creatures.
... Contender's like a superhero for shark researchers! Can you believe he's around 32 years old? That's crazy, even by shark standards 
. It just goes to show how much we still have to learn about these incredible creatures. I mean, it's awesome that Ocearch is doin' this work, taggin' sharks and trackin' 'em down... it's like we're gettin' a glimpse into their secret lives 
.
. And I love how Ocearch is workin' with all these researchers and wildlife officials to make sure we're managin' shark populations properly 
. Five years is a long time for Contender, but it's gonna be totally worth it... can't wait to see what they learn about him 
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Just saw that crazy big great white shark Contender being tracked off the Jersey Shore is like WOW 13ft long and 32 yrs old he's basically a giant! I'm loving how Ocearch is helping us learn more about these incredible creatures, their migration patterns and all that. It's amazing to think that we're getting more insights into these amazing animals lives and helping conservation efforts. 
I mean, who needs sharks when you have cute dolphins, right? But seriously, have you ever noticed how some animals are just naturally more majestic than others? Like, great whites are always getting a bad rep, but they're actually pretty stunning creatures... I wonder if Contender would do flips like that dolphin, lol. Oh wait, I'm getting sidetracked again 
what were we talking about again? Great white sharks, right! Anyway, I guess it's good to know more about them and how we can help protect their habitats. Maybe we could learn from dolphins' playful nature and try to adopt some of that eco-friendly vibes 
we can't just be consumers, but also stewards of the ocean.
- Benjamin Franklin 
. The fact that they've outfitted over 400 sharks with tags is wild! It's crazy to think about how much we can learn from these incredible creatures and it's awesome that researchers are working together with the public to make a difference 
ocearch is doin' some really cool stuff with their tracker tags and all. it's awesome that we get to see how Contender moves around and what he eats. but also kinda sad that humans have messed up the ocean so much 
he's 32 yrs old & weighs 1,653 lbs that's insane! 
. I mean, can you imagine if someone had tracked a shark off Jersey Shore way back when? 
that Contender, the massive 1,653-pound great white shark, is being tracked off the Jersey Shore! 
for his work in tagging over 400 sharks! I'm loving the fact that we're getting more data on these amazing animals, which will help inform conservation efforts and protect their habitats.
maybe ocearch can help us track human migration patterns too? 