Latest news with #ContenderBoats
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.
The Irish Sun
09-05-2025
- Science
- The Irish Sun
‘Biggest shark EVER tagged by researchers' – 14ft & 1,600lb great white dubbed ‘The Contender' – spotted prowling off US
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. 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." Most read in The US Sun 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. Read more on the Irish Sun 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
Yahoo
10-02-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Largest male white shark spotted off the east coast of Florida
WESTERN-NORTH ATLANTIC, Fla. (WFLA) — A record-breaking male white shark was found 45 miles off the Georgia-Florida coast, making big waves on Jan. 17. This male shark is the largest tagged fin that the OCEARCH has seen in this part of the Atlantic. Drone video catches Bonnethead sharks near fisherman on Pinellas County beach He is about 14 feet long and weighs around 1,653 pounds. His new name is now 'Contender' named in honor of the Contender Boats. On Feb. 10, Contender the shark was pinged off the coast around Cape Canaveral. To follow Contenders journey and other tagged sharks, in the Atlantic, visit the OCEARCH shark tracker. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Fox News
08-02-2025
- Science
- Fox News
Largest white shark ever caught, tagged pings near Florida coast
The largest male white shark ever caught, tagged and released is approaching Florida's east coast, near Jacksonville. Contender, a 13.8-foot, 1,653 pound adult shark, was tagged on Jan. 17 in the western Northwest Atlantic, off the Florida-Georgia border. He appears to be moving south, most recently surfacing near St. Augustine at about 10 a.m. Thursday., according to OCEARCH, the research group that tagged Contender. In a Facebook post, the group said Contender will provide valuable real-time data for about five years. OCEARCH told affilliate FOX 13 Tampa Bay that the tag on Contender needs to be exposed to the air for around 90 seconds, to triangulate the shark's location accurately. Researchers will track the shark's movements to understand its migration patterns. At the time of tagging, the group also collected "important" biological samples from Contender, including urogenital material, which are currently being analyzed, according to the post. Contender's name is in honor of the Contender Boats company, which partners with OCEARCH. "Their commitment to performance and innovation is essential to our ability to explore and protect our oceans," according to the OCEARCH website. Great white sharks often leave their summer feeding grounds to enjoy warmer waters and more abundant food sources. Marine biologists tagged nearly 400 sharks, mostly great white or tiger sharks, as of late 2024, Fox 13 reported. FOX 13 Tampa Bay's Aurielle Eady and Fox Weather contributed to this story.
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Largest shark ever tagged by research group spotted off Florida coast
The Brief OCEARCH researchers are tracking what might be the largest male white shark ever tagged, with recent signals coming from Florida's east coast. The shark, named Contender, was tagged off the Florida-Georgia border, measuring nearly 14 feet and weighing 1,653 pounds. Contender will play a key role in advancing shark research and ocean conservation. JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Researchers are tracking what may be the largest male white shark ever tagged by OCEARCH, with recent signals coming from off Florida's east coast near Jacksonville. Named Contender, this massive white shark was tagged on Jan. 17 in the western North Atlantic, just off the Florida-Georgia border. At nearly 14 feet long and weighing a staggering 1,653 pounds, Contender is a true ocean giant. What they're saying Contender will contribute to researchers' mission of shark research and ocean conservation, according to OCEARCH's website: "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. Additionally, we've collected important biological samples, including urogenital material, which are currently being analyzed." The large shark is named after Contender Boats, to honor the company's long-standing partnership with OCEARCH. Their top-performing sport fishing and pleasure boats are crucial to supporting OCEARCH's ocean exploration and conservation efforts. Local perspective There is no need for beachgoers to cancel their vacations to the Sunshine State as the white shark has generally stayed more than 40 miles off the coast. Dig deeper According to biologists, sharks often migrate to the waters off of Florida and the Southeast during the fall and winter in search of prey. During the spring and summer, the marine animals tend to travel further offshore and head northward towards the Northeast U.S. and Canada to feed on seals. According to the International Fund for Animal Welfare, the population of white sharks around the world is thought to exceed 3,000 and is presently not considered to be endangered; however, climate change and entanglements have impacted the population. MORE SHARK STORIES: Watch: Great white shark swims close to Australian surfers Teen surfer survives shark attack in Brevard County: 'Could have been so much worse' How common are shark bites in Florida? Here's what experts say OCEARCH said the tag on Contender needs to be exposed to the air for around 90 seconds, to triangulate the shark's location accurately. The battery is said to last around five years, but its lifespan is entirely dependent on how many times the shark surfaces. As of late 2024, marine biologists had tagged nearly 400 sharks with most being either great white or tiger sharks. What you can do You can track the giant shark on OCEARCH's shark tracker: The Source This story was written based information shared by OCEARCH and reporting from FOX Weather.
