By Michael Lee Simpson
The largest male white shark ever recorded in the Atlantic returns to the coast of Florida – on its one-year “tagiversary.”
Contender has resurfaced in the warmer waters after an extraordinary year-long journey that took him as far north as the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
The timing of the 14-foot, 1,700-pound creature’s return has researchers watching closely, as it aligns with what they believe could be a critical late-winter and early-spring mating period for great white sharks.
Chris Fischer, founder of marine research organization OCEARCH, said scientists are eager to better understand the reproductive behavior of these apex predators — an area where limited data exists.
“We’re trying to understand the reproductive activity around these animals,” Fischer said.
“Of the few clues we have, it seems like we need to be paying attention to the late winter and early spring area.”
Contender was tagged just one year ago, on January 17, 2025, off the Florida-Georgia border.
Since then, he has completed one of the most extensive migrations recorded for a great white shark in the region.
Fischer said Contender traveled all the way into the Gulf of St. Lawrence, spending significant time near the Brunswick area before beginning his journey back south.
Researchers say the shark’s return to Florida waters during this time window makes him especially valuable for studying potential mating behavior.
“It’ll be very interesting to watch this mature male white shark,” Fischer said.
“When will he be looking to mate? And could that be in the late winter and early spring, and where will he be?”
The research team is also watching to see whether Contender encounters other mature sharks during this period.
Fischer noted that other tagged mature great whites — including Breton and Goodall — could provide critical data if their paths converge.
“Most importantly, will there be other mature male white sharks like Bretton and mature female white sharks like Goodall and others that are in that similar region at the same time?” Fischer said.
Such convergence could give scientists rare opportunities to study great white reproduction through satellite tracking, blood sampling, and hormone analysis — areas of research that remain largely unexplored.
OCEARCH has been at the forefront of great white shark research, using satellite tags to track movements across thousands of miles and international waters.
Fischer said the next two to three months will be especially important in understanding whether Contender’s movements are linked to mating behavior.
“What could his track reveal this winter that’s associated with mating?” Fischer said.
“That’s what we all have our eyes on for him over the next 60 to 90 days.”
