A massive great white shark, named Contender, has been spotted off the Canadian coast, indulging in a feast of seals as winter approaches. This 14-foot predator was initially tagged in the North Atlantic by OCEARCH, a non-profit organization dedicated to studying large marine animals, near the Florida-Georgia coast.
The shark’s tracker sends signals when its dorsal fin briefly emerges above the water. Recently, the tracker signaled from the northern Gulf of St Lawrence, close to the Labrador Peninsula in Canada, marking Contender as one of the farthest north-pinging sharks ever recorded.
Weighing around 1,653 pounds and estimated to be about 30 years old, Contender is currently in the region preying on seals to accumulate fat for its return journey to Florida during winter. Researchers at OCEARCH are hopeful that monitoring Contender’s movements will unveil the first known great white shark mating site globally.
Chris Fischer, the founder of OCEARCH, mentioned that very few sharks venture as far north as Contender has. The shark’s activities, such as constantly consuming seals and positioning itself in front of seal colonies, indicate preparations for the winter months.
Fischer highlighted the positive impact of Contender’s presence on the ecosystem, stating that the pressure exerted on seals helps protect fish stocks. He emphasized the importance of food availability for great whites to survive in cold waters.
After being tagged in January off the Florida-Georgia coast, Contender disappeared for a while but resurfaced off Pamlico Sound in North Carolina before heading north to Canada. The tracking data from Contender’s satellite tag, which operates for five years, could potentially lead to groundbreaking discoveries, including identifying a white shark mating site – a phenomenon never before documented.
Fischer’s team is closely monitoring Contender’s movements, with a keen interest in his whereabouts next spring to gather insights into potential mating grounds. Despite Contender’s current impressive size, there is room for further growth, with the shark potentially reaching over 20 feet. Fischer is intrigued by the prospect of observing Contender’s development over the next few decades, as the shark has a lifespan of over 70 years.
The researchers are eager to witness Contender’s journey in the upcoming years, hoping to uncover crucial information about white shark behavior and mating habits.