Contender's Coastal Journey: A Shark's Epic Migration

Contender, a massive great white shark, has been making waves along the Atlantic coast. This isn't just any shark; he's the largest male great white ever tagged in the Atlantic.

A Journey of Over 4,300 Miles

After being tagged near the Florida-Georgia line in January, Contender has been on quite the adventure.

• Up the Coast: He swam all the way to the chilly waters near Newfoundland, Canada.
• Heading South: By late October, he started heading south again.
• Spotted Near: Nova Scotia, then the waters off New Jersey.
• Latest Update: As of now, he was cruising near Atlantic City.

Not Alone: Ernst Joins the Migration

Contender isn't the only shark on the move. Ernst, a female great white, has also been traveling south.

• Last Seen: Near the Florida-Georgia border before heading to the Florida Keys.
• Part of a Trend: Many shark species, including tiger sharks and hammerheads, are migrating along the Atlantic coast.

Why Are They Moving?

Great whites often spend their summers in the cooler, northern waters where there's plenty of prey. As winter approaches, they migrate south to warmer waters.

• More Sightings: This year, there have been more shark sightings in the north, leading to some beach closures.
• Rare Interactions: Human-shark interactions are still rare.

Scientific Tracking

Scientists are tracking these sharks to learn more about their habits and behaviors.

• Data Collection: Each tag sends data for about five years.
• Understanding Migration: This information helps us understand the mysteries of shark migration.
• Research Insight: As one research group put it, each ping is another piece of the puzzle.