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Shark season in Massachusetts is well underway. Just a few months ago, the first great white of the season was spotted off the state’s coast, according to the New England Aquarium. Now, the sharky waters have been bolstered by the arrival of the largest tagged great white shark in the Atlantic Ocean.
The creature, named “Contender,” is a mature male great white shark measuring 13.8 feet long and weighing in at an estimated 1,653 pounds. Though the name conjures up images of an aquatic pugilist, “Contender” is named after Contender Boats a sport fishing and pleasure boat company that has been a longtime OCEARCH collaborator, lending boats to enable the organization’s research missions.
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The latest ping from Contender’s tracking tag locates it by Nantucket Shoals, off the coast of Massachussetts. However, this is just the latest leg of a long journey for the animal, which started when it was first tagged on January 17, 2025, off the Florida/Georgia coast.
Contender’s tracking tag will last for about five years, allowing OCEARCH to continue keeping records as it continues its journey. Additionally, the organization has collected biological samples from the animal, including urogenital material, which are currently being analyzed.
