A great white shark measuring four metres long and weighing over 700 kilograms has travelled all the way from Florida to Atlantic Canada. CTV
A nearly 14-foot male great white shark, the largest ever tagged in the Atlantic Ocean, has reappeared off the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador. The shark, named Contender, weighs over 1,600 pounds and was tracked last week in the northern Gulf of St. Lawrence, according to marine researchers at OCEARCH.
OCEARCH, a global organization that studies and tracks large ocean species, first tagged Contender in January about 72 kilometres off the Florida-Georgia coastline. Since then, the massive shark has travelled thousands of kilometres through the Atlantic.
From Florida to Newfoundland in 73 Days
OCEARCH founder Chris Fischer shared a video update on social media showing Contender’s impressive journey. The shark swam nearly 1,400 kilometres from Cape Cod, Massachusetts, to the Gulf of St. Lawrence in just 73 days—averaging close to 19 kilometres a day.
Fischer said it’s normal for white sharks to move north at this time of year but added that few tagged sharks have ventured this far into the Gulf. “A white shark moving into the Gulf of St. Lawrence at this time of year is not unusual at all,” he said. “But very few of our tagged sharks have shown movement into that part of the Gulf.”
Last Ping in Early October
Contender’s most recent signal came on October 2, when the shark’s satellite tracker recorded what’s known as a “Z-ping.” This weak signal only occurs when the shark briefly reaches the ocean surface. Because of its short duration, researchers can’t pinpoint an exact location, only a general region.
Data shows that Contender has followed a typical migration path for great whites in the North Atlantic. According to a 2022 study, sharks like Contender travel between the eastern Gulf of Mexico and the southern coast of Newfoundland, following changing water temperatures and food sources.
Cold Waters, Plenty of Prey
Based on current sea surface data, Fischer estimated that Contender is swimming in waters about 10°C (50°F). He said food availability likely drew the shark to the area. “What’s most likely drawing Contender into this area is probably the food supply,” Fischer explained. “There are both harbour and gray seals in this area. There’s also an abundance of school fish.”
The Gulf of St. Lawrence provides rich feeding grounds for many marine species, making it an attractive stop for large predators like Contender.
Rare Sightings in the North Atlantic
Although great white sharks live in many parts of the world, sightings in the eastern North Atlantic remain uncommon. OCEARCH’s 2024 report notes confirmed sightings in the Bay of Biscay near Spain and France, along with reports from the U.K. coast.
Scientists believe some of these sharks belong to a Mediterranean population that occasionally travels north to feed on tuna and seals.
