Latest news with #ContenderBoats
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Largest Great White Shark Ever Recorded Spotted Swimming Near Popular New England Beach Destination
A record-breaking great white shark was spotted swimming off the coast of Nantucket, Mass., on July 18. The shark, named Contender, was tagged by the marine research nonprofit OCEARCH. Contender measures an impressive 13 feet, 9 inches long and weighs a whopping 1,653 pounds. Researchers referred to the shark as 'the ultimate ocean warrior," per MassLive. Contender's latest satellite ping placed the massive shark in waters east of Massachusetts, specifically between Nantucket Shoals and Georges Bank, per the outlet. OCEARCH originally tagged the male shark in January off the coast of Georgia, approximately 45 miles offshore. Contender then made the journey to Florida, before turning back up north. Before the ping off the coast of Massachusetts, there was a ping off the coast of North Carolina's Cape Hatteras, OCEARCH shared on Instagram on June 10. "The SPOT tag deployed on Contender will provide valuable real-time data for approximately five years, helping us track his movements and understand his migration patterns," the research group said in a statement. "Additionally, we've collected important biological samples, including urogenital material, which are currently being analyzed." The group also revealed how they chose the shark's name. Contender is named after Contender Boats, "a longtime OCEARCH partner, whose industry-leading sport fishing and pleasure boats enable our research missions." Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Another great white shark was spotted in Cape Cod on July 4 by two paddleboarders, roughly 100 yards offshore from Stony Beach. The Atlantic White Shark Conservancy determined that there were an estimated 800 great white sharks in the waters around Massachusetts from 2015 to 2018, per WBZ News. OCEARCH has shared an interactive travel log of Contender's migration journey on their official website. Read the original article on People
The Independent
5 days ago
- The Independent
Contender, largest great white shark tagged in Atlantic, spotted off Nantucket
The largest great white shark ever tagged by an ocean research group in the Atlantic has been spotted just off the coast of Massachusetts. Contender, a mature male shark measuring 13.8 feet and weighing around 1,653 pounds, emerged near Nantucket on July 18. The shark's tag pinged around 100 miles south of Boston and 30 miles from Cape Cod – a popular tourist destination. The powerful animal was tagged on January 17, around 45 miles off the coast of Florida and Georgia, in order to help researchers and conservationists. Contender then headed up to the Outer Banks in North Carolina, which researchers say is typical of great whites. It is believed the stop may be due to rich food resources in the region and gives the animal time to prepare for a journey north that could be more than 1000 miles. According to Ocearch, Contender's name is in honor of Contender Boats, a longtime partner of the research group, whose industry-leading sport fishing and pleasure boats enable its research missions. Contender is the largest male white shark ever caught, SPOT tagged, released and now studied in the North West Atlantic white shark population. The tag, which pings when the shark's dorsal fin breaches the surface, will last for five years. However, the reports that some creatures can reach the age of 70.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Largest Great White Shark on Record Swimming Off Popular Tourist Destination
A popular summer destination has been put on notice after researchers spotted what they believe to be the largest white shark ever tagged in the western North Atlantic Ocean. OCEARCH, a shark-tracking research group, says it has recently detected a great white shark dubbed Contender a mere 50 miles off the coast of Nantucket, Massachusetts. The research group says Contender weighs a whopping 1,653 pounds and is 13 feet and nine inches long. The ocean giant was last pinged on Friday east of Massachusetts, between Nantucket Shoals and Georges Bank. After tagging the great white shark, OCEARCH will track Contender for the next five years. The hope is for OCEARCH to learn about the species' migration patterns. So far, Contender has had quite a journey. Researchers first tracked the adult male in January and tagged him off the coast of Georgia. Contender then made his way down to Florida before heading up to the Outer Banks in North Carolina, where his presence previously made headlines."The SPOT tag deployed on Contender will provide valuable real-time data for approximately five years, helping us track his movements and understand his migration patterns," the group says. "Additionally, we've collected important biological samples, including urogenital material, which are currently being analyzed." As for how the group came up with the name Contender, OCEARCH says it's to pay homage of Contender Boats, "a longtime OCEARCH partner, whose industry-leading sport fishing and pleasure boats enable our research missions." Largest Great White Shark on Record Swimming Off Popular Tourist Destination first appeared on Men's Journal on Jul 22, 2025 Solve the daily Crossword
Newsweek
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Biggest Great White Shark Ever Tracked in Atlantic Zigzags Off US Coast
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The largest great white shark tagged by researchers in the Atlantic has surfaced near North Carolina on a swim to northern waters. Contender the shark was first SPOT tagged off the coast of Florida on January 17 and has been located again by oceanographers who have measured Contender at 1,653 lbs and 13 feet and 9 inches long, making him the largest great white tagged by OCEARCH researchers. Great whites tend to migrate to cooler waters during the summer months after spending the winter in warmer conditions, which explains his swims from Florida to North Carolina, totaling about 1,870 miles since January. The OCEARCH research team has been contacted for comment via email. Contender the 1,653lb shark being tagged by OCEARCH researchers. Contender the 1,653lb shark being tagged by OCEARCH researchers. OCEARCH Why It Matters Shark tourism has become a part of the summer economy in the North Atlantic, particularly off the shores of Cape Cod. In a summer when fewer Canadian tourists may be visiting the Northeast, the chance to see Contender in the wild may assist with tourism numbers in beach towns. Researchers say that following Contender's movements will assist with oceanic and conservation research. What To Know Contender is named after Contender Boats, a partner of OCEARCH research. Although some may see him as the ultimate ocean horror, OCEARCH researchers prefer to describe him as "the ultimate ocean warrior." This year marks the 50th Anniversary of Jaws hitting movie theaters. This film had a significant impact on sharks and shark perceptions across the United States. It resulted in people fleeing beaches and humans seeking out sharks in their natural habitat to kill them. Fifty years later, oceanographers are working to correct the record on sharks and educate people on why sharks are a critical part of the ocean's ecosystem and need to be protected. Peter Benchley, the author of the novel Jaws, which the film is based on, went on to spend the rest of his life working in shark conservation, as he felt guilty over how the shark population suffered due to his work. Prior to his death, Benchley wrote: "I couldn't write Jaws today. The extensive new knowledge of sharks would make it impossible for me to create, in good conscience, a villain of the magnitude and malignity of the original." Speaking about how Jaws has impacted their research, Chris Fischer, founder and expedition leader of OCEARCH said in a press release: "Our research in the very waters where JAWS was set—from Cape Cod to Nova Scotia and down to the Gulf of Mexico—is uncovering the real-life migratory patterns and critical habitats of white sharks. "This knowledge is demonstrating just how essential these predators are to maintaining the health and balance of our oceans." What People Are Saying Dr. Harley Newton, chief scientist and veterinarian at OCEARCH, said in a press release: "Through the multidisciplinary research we facilitate, we are developing a more complete understanding of the Western North Atlantic white shark, including their essential habitats and threats to population recovery. This data contributes to global white shark conservation efforts and will help shape fisheries management policies that we hope will ensure a healthy future for sharks and the oceans they protect." What Happens Next Contender is expected to keep swimming north up toward Canada. People invested in his journey can follow his tag at OCEARCH Shark Tracker.
Scottish Sun
09-05-2025
- Science
- Scottish Sun
‘Biggest shark EVER tagged by researchers' – 14ft & 1,600lb great white dubbed ‘The Contender' – spotted prowling off US
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE biggest shark ever tagged by researchers has been spotted prowling up the US east coast. Known as 'The Contender', the massive white shark is currently skulking around the North Carolina coast. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Stock image of a Great White Shark, Carcharodon carcharias, South Africa, Dyer Island Credit: Getty 3 Scientists track its progress through a tag that "pings" every time the shark's fin breaks the water's surface Credit: Getty 3 The behemoth was previously seen following the Gulf Stream south near Florida. Weighing 1,600 pounds, the beast was first tagged on January 17 this year about 45 miles off the Florida-Georgia border. It was the largest ever shark tagged by research group OCEARCH in the area. Contender, an adult white shark, measures 13 feet and nine inches. From its starting point, Contender stuck to familiar surrounding for the first few weeks of its journey, clinging to the area around the Florida coast. Scientists track its progress through a tag that "pings" every time the shark's fin breaks the water's surface. OCEARCH said the fin needs to be above water for around 90 seconds for the location to be fully accurate. Its website says: "The SPOT tag deployed on Contender will provide valuable real-time data for approximately five years, helping us track his movements and understand his migration patterns." Despite Contender's voyage trending south from January through to March, the latest pings have show the beast much further north. The shark didn't emerge for a ping between March 12 and April 8, during which time it had made its way nearer to coastal North Carolina. Contender has travelled more than 1,400 miles over the past 109 days. Since emerging near North Carolina, the shark has been prowling up and down the state's coastal waters. But beachgoers need not panic, as Contender has kept well clear of the shore so far. The most recent ping on May 5 had the shark heading southwards in the vague direction of Onslow Bay. OCEARCH's website describes Contender as "the ultimate ocean warrior" and a "mature male" specimen. It also says his nickname comes in honour of Contender Boats - an old partner of the research group. Sharks will tend to head north and further out to sea during the spring and summer months, according to biologists. A good supply of seals off the northeast US and Canada, makes it a popular destination for sharks.
