Shark Week came a bit late at the Jersey Shore this year. Contender, recognized as the biggest male great white shark documented in Atlantic waters, recently sent a signal from just miles off Atlantic City, New Jersey. This powerful predator’s journey highlights the incredible migrations these animals undertake each year.
Meet Contender: A True Ocean Titan
Tagged back in January near the border waters of Florida and Georgia, Contender tips the scales at an impressive 1,653 pounds. Stretching 13 feet from nose to tail, researchers with OCEARCH believe he’s around 32 years in age. The nonprofit group focuses on studying large sea creatures to gather vital insights into their behaviors, habitats, and the overall health of marine environments.
OCEARCH’s work involves equipping sharks like Contender with satellite tags. These devices only transmit data when the shark’s dorsal fin slices through the surface, and a passing satellite picks up the signal. It’s a game of patience and precision that reveals patterns in how these apex predators navigate vast ocean distances.
Tracing the Epic Migration Path
Contender’s travels since tagging paint a picture of relentless movement up and down the Eastern Seaboard:
- Spring Hangout: From April through mid-June, signals placed him lingering near North Carolina’s Outer Banks. One notable location came in June, about 22 miles out from Cape Hatteras.
- Summer Push North: By mid-July, he had ventured farther, appearing off Massachusetts beaches.
After a quiet stretch with no detections for months, Contender resurfaced in late September near Pointe-Parent in Quebec, Canada—deep into northern waters.
The fall turnaround began in late October. Between October 27 and 29, multiple pings tracked him heading southward from Canadian shores. Then, on Tuesday of this week, he popped up several miles offshore from Atlantic City. Experts suggest he’s likely chasing warmer southern waters rich with prey, possibly aiming for his Florida starting point. Future pings will confirm his route.
Why Track Sharks Like This?
Efforts by groups like OCEARCH go beyond curiosity. By monitoring animals in real time, scientists build knowledge that informs conservation strategies, fishery management, and even public safety around coastal areas. Contender’s data adds to a growing database from hundreds of tagged marine species.
Anyone can follow along using the no-cost OCEARCH Global Shark Tracker app. It provides live updates on Contender and fellow travelers, turning complex science into accessible adventures for families, students, and ocean lovers.
About OCEARCH’s Broader Impact
This organization brings together specialists in research, teaching, storytelling, and logistics to create meaningful change. They pioneer bold studies on ocean heavyweights, partnering across borders to tag nearly 500 creatures so far. The goal? Speed up efforts to restore balance in seas facing pressures from climate shifts and human activity.
Supporting their missions is straightforward—contributions fuel more expeditions and data collection. Visit their donation page to get involved.
As Contender continues his southward swing, his story underscores the wild, interconnected world just beyond New Jersey’s waves. Keep an eye on the tracker; the next ping could be even closer to home.
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.