Off the Canadian coast, the largest great white shark ever recorded in the Atlantic has appeared, indulging in seals as it prepares for winter. Known as Contender, this 14ft behemoth was tagged by OCEARCH in the North Atlantic, 45 miles off the Florida-Georgia coast. The tracker signals when the shark’s dorsal fin breaks the water’s surface, recently pinging from the Gulf of St Lawrence, near the Labrador Peninsula in Canada.
Weighing 1,653lbs and estimated to be around 30 years old, Contender is currently feasting on seals to build up fat reserves for its journey back to Florida in the winter months. Researchers at OCEARCH are hopeful that tracking Contender may uncover the world’s first documented great white shark mating site. Chris Fischer, founder of OCEARCH, remarked on Contender’s unusual behavior of pressuring seals to consume more food, indirectly benefitting fish stocks.
Fischer highlighted the adaptability of great white sharks, noting that they can thrive in cold waters if an abundant food supply is available. Contender’s journey has been closely monitored since his tagging off the Florida-Georgia coast, revealing intriguing insights into the behavior of these apex predators. Fischer’s team is particularly interested in observing Contender’s movements in the upcoming months to shed light on potential mating grounds and behaviors.
Despite his current size, Contender still has the potential to grow even larger, possibly exceeding 20 feet in length. Fischer emphasized the importance of monitoring Contender’s long-term movements to gain valuable knowledge about white shark behavior and mating habits. Overall, Contender’s presence in the northern Atlantic waters presents a unique opportunity for researchers to unlock significant mysteries surrounding these fascinating creatures.