ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — One of the largest great white sharks ever recorded in the Atlantic Ocean is making its way toward a popular tourist destination along the North Carolina coast, scientists said this week.
The shark, named Contender, measures nearly 14 feet long and weighs an estimated 1,653 pounds. Researchers with the nonprofit group OCEARCH first tagged the massive predator in January about 45 miles off the Florida-Georgia coast near Jacksonville.
Contender’s tracking signal went silent in mid-May, leading scientists to believe the shark was diving deep during a critical feeding period. The signal reappeared on June 7 near Pamlico Sound, a popular summer destination for boaters, beachgoers and vacationers.
The shark’s movement is being monitored through OCEARCH’s satellite tracking system, which detects signals when the animal’s dorsal fin surfaces.
Researchers say Contender, believed to be about 30 years old, has been heading steadily north over the past few weeks. The data collected from Contender and other tagged sharks is helping scientists better understand great white migration patterns, feeding behavior, and the role these apex predators play in maintaining healthy marine ecosystems.
OCEARCH hopes the real-time tracking and research will aid in shark conservation efforts and support broader efforts to address threats facing ocean life, including overfishing, climate change and habitat loss.