The largest great white shark ever recorded in the Atlantic Ocean has appeared on tracking systems again after disappearing for several months. The shark, named Contender, is a massive 14-foot great white that was tagged by the research group OCEARCH. Experts believe he may now be traveling toward popular areas such as Cape Cod.
Contender was last confirmed near the Outer Banks of North Carolina in April. On July 8, his tracking tag sent out a weak signal known as a “Z-ping.” This means the shark was near the surface long enough for the satellite to detect him, but the signal was not strong enough to show his exact location.
Researchers say the shark’s movement matches typical great white migration patterns in the western North Atlantic. During the summer months, great whites often travel toward areas like Cape Cod and Atlantic Canada because the waters are warmer and there is plenty of food available. Seals are one of their main food sources, and these regions have large seal populations.
Contender was first tagged in January 2025 near the Georgia-Florida border and has already traveled more than 7,000 miles. At 14 feet long, he remains the biggest great white ever recorded in the Atlantic. However, he is still smaller than “Deep Blue,” a great white estimated to be around 20 feet long that was spotted near Hawaii. For now, researchers will continue tracking Contender’s journey and movements.
