Tagged Great White Shark Near Nantucket Draws Interest

A massive great white shark named 'Contender,' measuring nearly 14 feet and weighing 1,653 pounds, has been tracked off Nantucket, Massachusetts, marking it as the largest male white shark ever tagged in the western Atlantic by OCEARCH. First tagged in January 2025 near the Florida-Georgia border, Contender has migrated north along the Atlantic coast, recently nearing popular vacation destinations during peak tourist season. The shark's presence has raised public safety concerns due to its proximity to beaches, though researchers note such migrations are typical for great whites in summer and fall when they follow prey like seals. OCEARCH's tracking, supported by a SPOT tag and biological sampling, is intended to increase understanding of white shark behavior and migration. Multiple organizations, including the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy, report heightened shark activity in New England waters this summer. Public interest in these sightings is further heightened by the 50th anniversary of 'Jaws.'