THE greatest shark ever tagged by researchers – dubbed Contender – has been noticed close to the Florida coast.

The 14ft whopper nice white is lurking within the southwest Atlantic waters and being intently tracked because it follows the Gulf Stream south.

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Biologists say the beast weighs virtually 1,600lb – making it the biggest ever tagged by analysis group OCEARCH within the space.

The behemoth was first tagged on January 17 this 12 months about 45 miles off the Florida-Georgia border.

After that it swam north for 4 days earlier than doubling again on itself, in accordance with information from Ocearch.

Contender then lingered for nearly per week degree with Jacksonville earlier than heading instantly south.

It has coated an unlimited 168 miles within the three weeks the staff has been watching.

However Florida beach-goers do not should be involved – but.

Contender has stayed at the very least 40 miles from the coast since being tagged, and seems to be sticking to the japanese fringe of the Florida platform.

That is the massive, flat slab of earth’s crust that types the Florida peninsula.

Contender was fitted with a SPOT tag, which is a “good place and temperature tag”.

From this, scientists obtain a “ping” each time the shark’s fin breaks the water’s floor.

To get an correct location, OCEARCH stated the fin must be above water for round 90 seconds.

The newest ping locates the large shark as degree with St Augustine, and he appears to be urgent on with its southward sprint.

The tag connected by the analysis staff will transmit real-time information till the battery dies, permitting them to observe Contender’s motion and behavior for round 5 years.

OCEARCH’s web site describes Contender as “the final word ocean warrior” and says he’s a “mature male” specimen.

It additionally reveal that his nickname is in honour of Contender Boats – an previous companion of the analysis group.

In accordance with biologists, sharks typically go to the waters off Florida throughout autumn and winter in the hunt for prey.

Throughout the spring and summer season months, the animals have a tendency to go north and additional out to sea.

There’s a good provide of seals off the northeast US and Canada, so this can be a favorite vacation spot amongst sharks.

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