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Catch the Wave: Contender, the Atlantic’s Largest Male White Shark, Swims South for the Winter
Just in time for the holiday season, Contender, the largest male white shark ever recorded in the Atlantic is making waves as he migrates south towards warmer waters. First tagged and brought to public attention by marine conservation nonprofit OCEARCH in January 2025 off the Florida/Georgia coast, Contender has become a notable figure in OCEARCH’s study of marine life migration patterns.
Throughout 2025, Contender’s migration route saw him head north for the summer. His journey took him to the feeding grounds of Cape Hatteras and then further north to Canada. However, as the year comes to an end, and the waters start to cool, Contender, true to his migratory pattern, has started his journey south. His latest check-in shows him basking in the Florida sun off the coast of Jacksonville. It’s expected he’ll either stay in the area or continue south as we move into spring.
OCEARCH’s tracking and documentation of Contender’s migration pattern not only provides fascinating insight for shark enthusiasts but also valuable scientific data. This information gives researchers a real-time glimpse into the seasonal migration habits of marine life. Along with Contender, OCEARCH is also tracking Ripple, Danny, and Baker, three other male white sharks, each with a unique migration pattern.
From Baker, the 12-foot, 1,400-pound adult lounging off the South Carolina coast, to Danny, the 9-foot sub-adult spotted off the Florida Keys, and Ripple, another sub-adult making his way down south from Nova Scotia, all are contributing to OCEARCH’s mission of researching and protecting our ocean’s inhabitants. It’s a journey that’s making waves in more ways than one!
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