‘Biggest ever’ great white shark Contender surfaces just off Canada – plumping up on seals

The largest great white shark ever recorded in the Atlantic has been spotted again off the coast of Canada, where it is feasting on seals in preparation for winter.

Named Contender, this impressive 14-foot shark was tagged by OCEARCH, a non-profit organization focused on marine research, 45 miles off the Florida-Georgia coast near Jacksonville in January.

Contender’s tracker emits a signal only when the shark’s dorsal fin briefly breaks the surface of the water.

Recently, the tracker signaled from the far reaches of the Gulf of St. Lawrence near the Labrador Peninsula in Canada, marking Contender as “one of the furthest northern pinging sharks that we’ve had,” according to researchers.

Weighing in at 1,653 pounds and estimated to be around 30 years old, Contender is currently in the area gorging on seals throughout the summer and fall to bulk up for his winter return to Florida.

Researchers at OCEARCH are optimistic that tracking Contender will lead to the discovery of the world’s first known great white shark mating site.

Chris Fischer, founder and expedition leader at OCEARCH, remarked, “Only a couple have made it that far north. An animal like that, spending the summer and fall up north – what are they doing? Well, a lot of what they’re doing is preparing for the winter.”

According to Fischer, Contender is diligently hunting seals, swimming near seal colonies to gain weight before heading back to Florida.

This behavior also brings an unexpected environmental benefit. “The byproduct of putting that pressure on the seals is really good; they’re guarding our fish stocks,” Fischer explained.

He continued, “We know that if white sharks are present, seals eat one-fourth as much per day. If that white shark’s not there, those seals go out and they wipe out all the fish.”

Contender’s ability to thrive in colder northern waters highlights the incredible adaptability of great whites. “White sharks can warm themselves to survive in cold water, but they require ample food,” Fischer noted. “Like horses in winter – as long as they have food, they’re fine. If they run out of food, they freeze quickly.”

This remarkable shark was tagged off the Florida-Georgia coast back in January.

After being out of contact for nearly a month, Contender provided a ping from Pamlico Sound in North Carolina twice in one day before disappearing again on his journey heading north, surfacing off Natashquan, Canada on September 29.

There was a brief z-ping on October 2, where the shark spent only a moment at the surface, not enough to determine a precise location.

Contender, tagged in January off the Florida-Georgia coast, symbolizes hope for a recovering shark population that faced near extinction decades ago.

<p“During the seventies, eighties, and sixties, we severely depleted shark populations, getting down to nine percent of what they once were,” Fischer stated.

Contender is particularly crucial for researchers seeking to unravel one of marine biology’s biggest mysteries. “These large mature males are vital because they can help us understand where and when mating happens,” Fischer highlighted.

Unlike females, which engage in complex migratory patterns every two years, “the male white sharks essentially organize their whole year around mating,” he added.

The data from Contender’s satellite tag, which has a five-year lifespan, could lead to significant breakthroughs in scientific research.

“No white shark mating site has ever been identified globally in any of the nine existing populations,” Fischer stated, calling it a potential first.

Fischer’s team is especially focused on tracking Contender over the upcoming months.

His location next spring could provide key insights into potential mating grounds, with initial data suggesting activity down off the southeastern coast of the United States.

Despite his formidable size, Contender still has room for growth, potentially exceeding 20 feet in length.

Fischer is curious to see what Contender looks like “30 or 40 years from now,” noting that this massive creature is currently between 30 and 35 years old and has a lifespan of over 70 years.

“It will be fascinating to follow Contender’s journey this year,” Fischer expressed. “I am eager to learn where he will be in March 2026, in April 2026. This could provide a significant clue toward identifying their mating sites.”