Largest male white shark ever tagged in the Western North Atlantic tracked near Wilmington
By BCNews Staff Writer
Wilmington, NC — Contender, the largest male white shark ever tagged by OCEARCH in the Western North Atlantic, has surfaced off the North Carolina coast. The nearly 1,700‑pound shark, tagged last year off the Florida–Georgia line, spent much of January cruising Florida’s shoreline before heading north.
Researchers say Contender is unlikely to remain off Cape Fear for long, as mature white sharks typically travel wide distances in winter, following schools of menhaden, tuna, and other prey along the continental shelf. His February 8 ping placed him about 45 miles offshore, well outside the surf zone, and experts note that sharks of his size prefer deep, cooler water rather than crowded beaches.
While his impressive bulk reflects both age and a rich diet of high‑calorie marine mammals and large fish, there is no indication he poses any danger to visitors on Brunswick or New Hanover beaches.
His SPOT tag is expected to continue transmitting for several years, offering valuable insight into white shark migration, habitat use, and seasonal behavior along the East Coast. Contender was named in honor of Contender Boats Inc., a longtime OCEARCH partner whose vessels support the organization’s offshore research missions.
Shark enthusiasts can follow his movements in real time on the OCEARCH Global Shark Tracker.
©2026 bcdollarsaver.com. All rights reserved.
Be the first to comment