The ‘world’s largest great white shark’ could pose a risk to swimmers at popular beaches in the US this summer, experts have warned. The 14-foot predator, dubbed “Contender”, was tagged by marine research organisation OCEARCH in January, and has since travelled 1,870 miles across the North Atlantic.
Although the 30-year-old male shark had disappeared from the tracker – which transmits a signal when a dorsal fin is exposed above the water – for around a month, it surfaced in early June off the coast of North Carolina. Scientists have warned holidaymakers and locals heading to beaches near the Pamlico Sound lagoon to use “common sense” when taking a dip this summer as a result – with a “possibility” that it will head further into the coast. “The chances of Contender going near a popular beach is fairly remote but it is possible,” OCEARCH data scientist John Tyminski told The Mirror.
“White sharks like Contender follow their natural sources of prey – schooling fish, seals, etc.
“And if the conditions bring those food sources close to beaches, then that can draw the predators in close to take advantage of them.
“So we advise beachgoers to take a common sense approach when going for a swim.”
The predator was first spotted by OCEARCH researchers off the Flora-Georgia coast in Jacksonville in January, but has since covered nearly 2,000 miles over a period that spanned a crucial feeding period, experts said.
Dr Harley Newton, OCEACH Chief Scientist and Veterinarian, added: “This is the first season we will be able to watch him migrate to a summer foraging area.
“Although there are many places in the Northeastern US and Canada where he could go, there are two primary locations where many white sharks spend the summer: Cape Cod, Massachusetts or Nova Scotia, Canada.
“Though Contender is an adult male shark, and the largest we at OCEARCH have ever tagged and sampled in the Northwest Atlantic, but he is certainly not the largest male white shark ever caught.
“Contender was 13 feet and nine inches total length and estimated to weigh 1,653 lbs, but male white sharks can grow up to 18 feet.
“The adult age class animals have been more elusive than smaller, younger age classes, so we were excited to have the opportunity to tag, sample and release him.”