The largest male white shark ever documented in the Atlantic has returned to Florida’s coastline – exactly one year after being tagged.
Contender has reappeared in warmer waters following a remarkable year-long voyage that saw him travel as far north as the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
The 14-foot, 1,700-pound shark’s return has captured researchers’ attention, as it coincides with what they suspect could be a crucial late-winter and early-spring mating season for great white sharks.
Chris Fischer, founder of marine research organisation OCEARCH, said scientists are keen to gain greater insight into the reproductive behaviour of these apex predators – an area where knowledge remains limited.
“We’re trying to understand the reproductive activity around these animals,” Fischer said.
Largest great white sparks interest
“Of the few clues we have, it seems like we need to be paying attention to the late winter and early spring area.”
Contender was tagged exactly one year ago, on January 17, 2025, off the Florida-Georgia border.
Since then, he has completed one of the most extensive migrations documented for a great white shark in the region.
Fischer said Contender travelled all the way into the Gulf of St. Lawrence, spending considerable time near the Brunswick area before commencing his journey back south.
Researchers say the shark’s return to Florida waters during this timeframe makes him particularly valuable for studying potential mating behaviour. “It’ll be very interesting to watch this mature male white shark,” Fischer said.
Shark on the hunt…for a mate
“When will he be looking to mate? And could that be in the late winter and early spring, and where will he be?”
The research team is equally keen to observe whether Contender crosses paths with other mature sharks during this crucial window.
Fischer highlighted that other tagged mature great whites – including Breton and Goodall – could yield vital information if their journeys intersect.
“Most importantly, will there be other mature male white sharks like Bretton and mature female white sharks like Goodall and others that are in that similar region at the same time?” Fischer said.
Such encounters could offer scientists unprecedented chances to examine great white mating habits through satellite monitoring, blood analysis, and hormone studies – largely uncharted territory in marine research.
Tracking the greatest seabeast
OCEARCH has led the charge in great white shark research, deploying satellite tags to monitor their journeys spanning thousands of miles and crossing international boundaries.
Fischer emphasised that the coming two to three months will prove particularly valuable in determining whether Contender’s behaviour is connected to breeding patterns.
“What could his track reveal this winter that’s associated with mating?” Fischer said.
“That’s what we all have our eyes on for him over the next 60 to 90 days.”
