A large great white shark, named Contender, was recently detected off the coast of Massachusetts. This shark, estimated to be the largest ever tagged

July 22, 2025 1 Min Read

A large great white shark, named Contender, was recently detected off the coast of Massachusetts

A large great white shark, named Contender, was recently detected off the coast of Massachusetts. This shark, estimated to be the largest ever tagged in the western North Atlantic, was spotted approximately 50 miles east of Nantucket. Contender is 13 feet 9 inches long and weighs 1,653 pounds, according to OCEARCH.

Here are some more details about this impressive shark:

Public Tracking: Contender can be tracked online through OCEARCH’s shark tracker.

Size and Weight: Contender is 13 feet 9 inches long and weighs 1,653 pounds.

Tagging: OCEARCH, a global research organization, tagged Contender in mid-January, about 45 miles off the Florida/Georgia coast.

Tracking: The shark is tagged with a SPOT (Smart Position and Temperature Transmitting) tag, which allows for real-time tracking of his movements and migration patterns for about five years.

Research: OCEARCH has collected biological samples from Contender, including urogenital material, which are currently being analyzed.

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McStay

Michael McStay is the founder, publisher, of Plimoth Today, a dedicated local news platform delivering real-time reporting, civic updates, and community coverage across the Plymouth region. With a deep commitment to independent local journalism, Michael oversees both the technical infrastructure and the editorial direction of the platform—ensuring residents have transparent, reliable access to everything from Town Meeting coverage to local athletics and maritime updates.

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A large great white shark, named Contender, was recently detected off the coast of Massachusetts. This shark, estimated to be the largest ever tagged