THE biggest shark ever tagged by researchers – dubbed Contender – has been spotted near the Florida coast.
The 14ft whopper great white is lurking in the southwest Atlantic waters and being closely tracked as it follows the Gulf Stream south.
Biologists say the beast weighs almost 1,600lb – making it the largest ever tagged by research group OCEARCH in the area.
The behemoth was first tagged on January 17 this year about 45 miles off the Florida-Georgia border.
After that it swam north for four days before doubling back on itself, according to data from Ocearch.
Contender then lingered for almost a week level with Jacksonville before heading directly south.
It has covered a vast 168 miles in the three weeks the team has been watching.
But Florida beach-goers don’t need to be concerned – yet.
Contender has stayed at least 40 miles from the coast since being tagged, and appears to be sticking to the eastern edge of the Florida platform.
This is the large, flat slab of earth’s crust that forms the Florida peninsula.
Contender was fitted with a SPOT tag, which is a “smart position and temperature tag”.
From this, scientists receive a “ping” every time the shark’s fin breaks the water’s surface.
To get an accurate location, OCEARCH said the fin needs to be above water for around 90 seconds.
The latest ping locates the huge shark as level with St Augustine, and he seems to be pressing on with its southward dash.
The label placed by the research group will send live information until the battery runs out, enabling them to observe Contender’s actions and habits for approximately five years.
OCEARCH’s website describes Contender as “the ultimate ocean warrior” and says he is a “mature male” specimen.
It also reveal that his nickname is in honour of Contender Boats – an old partner of the research group.
According to biologists, sharks often visit the waters off Florida during autumn and winter in search of prey.
During the spring and summer months, the animals tend to head north and further out to sea.
There is a good supply of seals off the northeast US and Canada, so this is a favourite destination amongst sharks.
