Overview
- OCEARCH recorded Contender’s latest location ping on Sept. 29 in the northern Gulf of St. Lawrence near Quebec, followed by a brief, imprecise z-ping on Oct. 2.
- The nearly 14-foot, approximately 1,653-pound male is the largest great white the group has tagged in the Northwest Atlantic and is estimated to be about 30–35 years old.
- Data scientists say he covered at least 857 miles from off Cape Cod to the Gulf in roughly 73 days, averaging about 12 miles per day, with tracker totals showing more than 3,100 miles since January.
- The satellite tag transmits only when his dorsal fin breaks the surface, and z-pings reflect momentary surfacing too short for an accurate fix.
- Researchers report he is targeting seals and schooling fish to build energy before a typical southward move, and they plan to watch his spring 2026 position for potential clues to white shark mating areas.