Scientist tracking ‘biggest ever' great white shark Contender reveals how to escape close encounter
One of the scientists involved in tracking Contender – the biggest great white shark ever recorded by researchers in the Atlantic – has revealed how to escape a close encounter.
Contender, the 14-foot beast, was tagged in the North Atlantic by OCEARCH in January – a non-profit organization that conducts research on large marine animals – 45 miles off the Florida-Georgia coast, off Jacksonville and popped up off Pamlico Sound in North Carolina earlier this month.
There have been a number of other reports of shark incidents in recent days – including a nine-year-old girl nearly had her hand bitten off near Boca Grande, Florida.
4 Scientist tag the 14 foot great white shark, Contender, in the Atlantic Ocean.
OCEARCH / SWNS
Dr. Harley Newton, chief scientist and veterinarian for OCEARCH, from Jacksonville, Florida, has dedicated her career to studying sharks – including Contender – and educating the public.
She has revealed the surprising thing you should avoid wearing when swimming in the ocean – and what do to if you do come face to face with a predator.
Her advice includes avoiding dawn and dusk swims, staying close to shore, swimming with a buddy, and avoid wearing shiny objects like jewellery.
And she said maintain visual contact if you spot a shark, backing away slowly while facing it.
While shark attacks are rare, she stresses awareness and respect for the ocean.
'The ocean is a wild place,' Dr. Newton said.
'If you see schools of fish, particularly if they're jumping out of the water, that might be something that you want to move away from because that's going to be very attractive for sharks, and it might help you avoid an accident or an incident.'
4 Dr. Harley Newton is the chief scientist and veterinarian for OCEARCH, from Jacksonville, Florida.
OCEARCH / SWNS
While shark attacks are extremely rare, Dr. Newton advises that maintaining visual contact with an aggressive shark is crucial for safety.
As a last resort, striking the shark's nose may deter it; however, this should only be attempted if necessary.
According to Dr. Newton, bull sharks and tiger sharks are considered among the most dangerous species due to their size, strength, and habitat preferences that bring them into contact with humans.
She notes that all sharks should be treated with caution and respect.
Dr. Newton is passionate about correcting myths about sharks.
Contrary to popular belief, sharks can get cancer, can not smell blood from miles away – the max distance the length of an Olympic-size swimming pool – and are not mindless man-eaters seeking human prey.
'They are most often looking for prey or typical prey items when there are interactions with humans,' Dr. Newton said.
'They're not out there actively looking for humans. They're looking for the typical prey that they would want to eat.'
OCEARCH's tracking of Contender has also provided valuable data about great white shark migration patterns.
Its movements from Florida northward along the Atlantic coast have provided researchers with unprecedented insights into the behavior of adult male sharks.
'Catching an adult male shark in January was a new data point for us,' Dr. Newton noted. 'We were really excited to catch him, tag him, sample him, and release him.'
4 OCEARCH's tracking of Contender has also provided valuable data about great white shark migration patterns.
OCEARCH / SWNS
This tracking effort helps scientists understand shark habitat use and identify areas where human and shark activities overlap, potentially reducing the risk of negative interactions between them.
The ongoing monitoring of Contender and other sharks contributes to both conservation efforts and public safety by providing real-time data about shark movements and behavior patterns.
This knowledge allows for more informed beach management decisions and helps educate the public about sharing the ocean with these apex predators.
As summer approaches and more people head to beaches along the Atlantic coast, Dr. Newton emphasizes that awareness and respect for the ocean environment are key to staying safe.
'Understanding that we're entering their habitat is important,' Dr. Newton said.
She added: 'Sharks play a vital role in maintaining healthy ocean ecosystems, and with some simple precautions, we can safely enjoy the water while respecting these magnificent animals that have been evolving for over 400 million years.'
4 The ongoing monitoring of Contender and other sharks contributes to both conservation efforts and public safety by providing real-time data about shark movements and behavior patterns.
OCEARCH / SWNS
TIPS
Avoid swimming at dawn or dusk when sharks are most active and hunting
Stay close to shore where you can quickly exit the water if needed
Always swim with a buddy rather than venturing into the ocean alone
Remove shiny jewelry or accessories that might resemble fish scales and attract sharks
Be aware of your surroundings, especially schools of fish jumping out of water, which could indicate predator presence
Move away from areas with fishing activity, as bait and injured fish can attract sharks
Maintain visual contact if you spot a shark, backing away slowly while facing it
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New York Post
a day ago
- New York Post
Scientist tracking ‘biggest ever' great white shark Contender reveals how to escape close encounter
One of the scientists involved in tracking Contender – the biggest great white shark ever recorded by researchers in the Atlantic – has revealed how to escape a close encounter. Contender, the 14-foot beast, was tagged in the North Atlantic by OCEARCH in January – a non-profit organization that conducts research on large marine animals – 45 miles off the Florida-Georgia coast, off Jacksonville and popped up off Pamlico Sound in North Carolina earlier this month. There have been a number of other reports of shark incidents in recent days – including a nine-year-old girl nearly had her hand bitten off near Boca Grande, Florida. 4 Scientist tag the 14 foot great white shark, Contender, in the Atlantic Ocean. OCEARCH / SWNS Dr. Harley Newton, chief scientist and veterinarian for OCEARCH, from Jacksonville, Florida, has dedicated her career to studying sharks – including Contender – and educating the public. She has revealed the surprising thing you should avoid wearing when swimming in the ocean – and what do to if you do come face to face with a predator. Her advice includes avoiding dawn and dusk swims, staying close to shore, swimming with a buddy, and avoid wearing shiny objects like jewellery. And she said maintain visual contact if you spot a shark, backing away slowly while facing it. While shark attacks are rare, she stresses awareness and respect for the ocean. 'The ocean is a wild place,' Dr. Newton said. 'If you see schools of fish, particularly if they're jumping out of the water, that might be something that you want to move away from because that's going to be very attractive for sharks, and it might help you avoid an accident or an incident.' 4 Dr. Harley Newton is the chief scientist and veterinarian for OCEARCH, from Jacksonville, Florida. OCEARCH / SWNS While shark attacks are extremely rare, Dr. Newton advises that maintaining visual contact with an aggressive shark is crucial for safety. As a last resort, striking the shark's nose may deter it; however, this should only be attempted if necessary. According to Dr. Newton, bull sharks and tiger sharks are considered among the most dangerous species due to their size, strength, and habitat preferences that bring them into contact with humans. She notes that all sharks should be treated with caution and respect. Dr. Newton is passionate about correcting myths about sharks. Contrary to popular belief, sharks can get cancer, can not smell blood from miles away – the max distance the length of an Olympic-size swimming pool – and are not mindless man-eaters seeking human prey. 'They are most often looking for prey or typical prey items when there are interactions with humans,' Dr. Newton said. 'They're not out there actively looking for humans. They're looking for the typical prey that they would want to eat.' OCEARCH's tracking of Contender has also provided valuable data about great white shark migration patterns. Its movements from Florida northward along the Atlantic coast have provided researchers with unprecedented insights into the behavior of adult male sharks. 'Catching an adult male shark in January was a new data point for us,' Dr. Newton noted. 'We were really excited to catch him, tag him, sample him, and release him.' 4 OCEARCH's tracking of Contender has also provided valuable data about great white shark migration patterns. OCEARCH / SWNS This tracking effort helps scientists understand shark habitat use and identify areas where human and shark activities overlap, potentially reducing the risk of negative interactions between them. The ongoing monitoring of Contender and other sharks contributes to both conservation efforts and public safety by providing real-time data about shark movements and behavior patterns. This knowledge allows for more informed beach management decisions and helps educate the public about sharing the ocean with these apex predators. As summer approaches and more people head to beaches along the Atlantic coast, Dr. Newton emphasizes that awareness and respect for the ocean environment are key to staying safe. 'Understanding that we're entering their habitat is important,' Dr. Newton said. She added: 'Sharks play a vital role in maintaining healthy ocean ecosystems, and with some simple precautions, we can safely enjoy the water while respecting these magnificent animals that have been evolving for over 400 million years.' 4 The ongoing monitoring of Contender and other sharks contributes to both conservation efforts and public safety by providing real-time data about shark movements and behavior patterns. OCEARCH / SWNS TIPS Avoid swimming at dawn or dusk when sharks are most active and hunting Stay close to shore where you can quickly exit the water if needed Always swim with a buddy rather than venturing into the ocean alone Remove shiny jewelry or accessories that might resemble fish scales and attract sharks Be aware of your surroundings, especially schools of fish jumping out of water, which could indicate predator presence Move away from areas with fishing activity, as bait and injured fish can attract sharks Maintain visual contact if you spot a shark, backing away slowly while facing it
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Newsweek
11ft Great White Shark Just Spotted off Long Island Coast As Summer Nears
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. As summer approaches, a juvenile great white shark named Dold has today been detected off the Long Island coastline, marking the latest milestone in a months-long migration that has taken him up the U.S. East Coast. While beachgoers are planning trips to the shore to enjoy the good weather, but many will be thinking about what lurks in the water, and the latest data from trackers at OCEARCH gives an insight to shark behaviors. First tagged by researchers from OCEARCH in February near the Florida–Georgia border, Dold weighs 761 pounds and measures 11 feet 2 inches from tip to tail. His most recent position, recorded in the early hours of June 20, places him off the coast of Long Island, some 80–120 miles offshore—near the Hudson Canyon, a common corridor for migrating sharks. This is Dold's first ping since May 21, when he was detected in the Florida Gap off the coast of Port St. Lucie, Florida. Since being tagged, Dold has covered an estimated 2,875 miles in just under four months, demonstrating the far-reaching seasonal migrations juvenile white sharks undertake in search of prey and suitable water temperatures. OCEARCH, a global nonprofit that tags and tracks marine life for scientific study, monitors sharks like Dold to better understand their behavior, travel patterns, and environmental needs. Their insights also help inform public safety along populated coastlines. A file photo of a great white shark off the coast of False Bay, South Africa. A file photo of a great white shark off the coast of False Bay, South Africa. AlessandroShark Activity off the U.S. Coast As summer heats up and crowds return to U.S. beaches, the movements of sharks like Dold serve as a seasonal reminder of increased shark activity near shorelines. Spring and summer months bring warmer waters, which white sharks favor as they move north for feeding and breeding. Great white sharks are found along both the East and West Coasts of the United States. According to the International Shark Attack File (ISAF)—which is maintained by the Florida Museum of Natural History—the U.S. leads the world in the number of unprovoked shark bites each year. In 2023, the U.S. reported 36 unprovoked shark bites, including two fatalities. Florida had the highest number (16 in 2023), followed by Hawaii, California and New York. Despite this, fatal shark attacks are extremely rare. Between 2013 and 2022 there was an average of just one fatal shark bite per year in the U.S., compared with tens of millions of people entering the water annually. By contrast, Shark Guardian estimates approximately 100 million sharks are killed globally each year, including being intentionally targeted for fishing as well as those caught by bycatch in fishing nets. Other Sharks on the Radar Lower down the Atlantic seaboard, another shark continues to make waves: Contender, currently the largest great white shark tracked by OCEARCH. A huge 1,653 pounds and 13 feet 9 inches, contender has been pinged several times this year, most recently on June 7 in Pamlico Sound, North Carolina. Though Dold and Contender are impressive in size and range, the record for the largest great white ever reliably documented remains with Deep Blue—a massive female shark estimated at 20 to 21 feet long and weighing around 5,000 pounds. Do you have a tip on a science story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about sharks? Let us know via science@
New York Post
3 days ago
- New York Post
‘City-killer' asteroid hurtling toward moon — this is the terrifying way it could wreak havoc on Earth
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