A massive great white shark, known as Contender, has been spotted off the Canadian coast in the Atlantic Ocean. This 14-foot predator was tagged by OCEARCH in the North Atlantic and has been located near the Labrador Peninsula in Canada, a far northern area for this species.
Weighing approximately 1,653 pounds and believed to be about 30 years old, Contender is currently preying on seals in the region to build up fat reserves for the winter migration back to Florida. Researchers are hopeful that tracking Contender will provide insights into the mating behaviors of great white sharks, potentially identifying a mating site.
Chris Fischer, the founder of OCEARCH, mentioned that Contender’s presence in the cold northern waters signifies the adaptability of great whites. By hunting seals, Contender inadvertently helps protect fish stocks, as the seals consume less fish when under pressure from sharks.
The tracking data from Contender’s satellite tag, operational for five years, presents a significant opportunity for scientific discovery. Researchers aim to unravel the mysteries of great white shark mating habits, with Contender playing a crucial role in this research.
Despite his current size, Contender has the potential to grow even larger, possibly exceeding 20 feet in length. Fischer and his team are closely monitoring Contender’s movements, looking for clues that could unveil key information about the shark’s behavior and potential mating grounds in the southeastern United States.
The long-term tracking of Contender will provide valuable insights into the life cycle and habits of great white sharks, offering a unique opportunity for scientific breakthroughs in marine biology.