Contender's Coastal Journey: A Shark's Epic Migration

Contender, a massive great white shark, has been making waves along the Atlantic coast. This isn't just any shark; he's the largest male great white ever tagged in the Atlantic. After being tagged near the Florida-Georgia line in January, Contender has been on quite the adventure, swimming over 4, 300 miles. His journey took him up the coast, all the way to the chilly waters near Newfoundland, Canada. But he didn't stay there for long. By late October, Contender started heading south again. He was spotted near Nova Scotia before making his way to the waters off New Jersey. As of the latest update, he was cruising near Atlantic City. Contender isn't the only shark on the move. Ernst, a female great white, has also been traveling south. She was last seen near the Florida-Georgia border before heading to the Florida Keys. These sharks are part of a larger trend. Many shark species, including tiger sharks and hammerheads, are migrating along the Atlantic coast. So, why are these sharks on the move? Great whites often spend their summers in the cooler, northern waters where there's plenty of prey. As winter approaches, they migrate south to warmer waters. This year, there have been more shark sightings in the north, leading to some beach closures. But don't worry, human-shark interactions are still rare. Scientists are tracking these sharks to learn more about their habits and behaviors. Each tag sends data for about five years. This information helps us understand the mysteries of shark migration. As one research group put it, each ping is another piece of the puzzle.