Attention tourists! The world’s largest great white shark spotted near a popular vacation spot in the U.S. Imagine being on vacation, relaxing by the beach, when suddenly you hear that the biggest great white shark ever recorded is swimming just offshore. That’s exactly what happened recently near Cape Cod, Massachusetts—a favorite summer spot for families, surfers, and tourists.

This isn’t just any shark. It’s a massive great white named Contender, and it’s got scientists, beachgoers, and shark trackers paying close attention. We can learn many things about sharks thanks to scientific experiments. So, let’s see more about where it came from, how it is being tracked, and what it means for anyone heading to the coast this summer.

Who is this shark?

Let’s introduce the creature of this article, its name is Contender and it measures 4.9 meters long and weighs around 750 kilograms (that means it’s a massive shark). That’s about the size of a van—with fins. It was recently tracked near Nantucket Sound and Georges Bank, not far from the island where the famous movie Jaws was filmed more than 50 years ago.

How do scientists know where it is?

Technology has a lot to do with this because the shark has a satellite tracker that shows them its movements. This helps scientists understand how great white sharks migrate and where they go during different seasons. It was first tagged in January, off the coast of Georgia, and since then it has traveled up the East Coast of the U.S., from Florida to Massachusetts.

Scientists learnt more things

Not only did they know where the shark was, but also they could take samples from the shark’s body (like blood and tissue) to study its health, reproduction, and genetics. This is important because great white sharks are an endangered species, and this information helps with their conservation.

What does this mean for tourists?

Cape Cod is a popular summer vacation destination because of its beaches. But the negative side is that it is one of the main areas where great white sharks are often seen, especially in warmer months. In the past few years, researchers have identified over 700 white sharks in the waters around the area.

So, while seeing a big shark like this can seem scary, experts say these animals aren’t looking for humans, they’re just swimming where there’s food—like seals.

On July 4, for example, two people on paddleboards saw a large white shark swimming just 90 meters from shore at Stony Beach, which led local authorities to increase beach monitoring and safety alerts.

Should people be worried?

Not really. Scientists explain that spotting sharks near the coast is a sign of a healthy ocean. In recent years, more efforts have been made to educate locals and tourists about how to enjoy the beach safely and what to do if a shark is seen nearby.

Cape Cod: A hotspot for great white sharks

Cape Cod has become one of the main habitats for great white sharks in the North Atlantic because the area is full of seals—their favorite food—so it’s an ideal place for sharks to feed and move around.

Earlier this year, researchers also discovered 22 new white sharks in the region, which shows that their population is growing, thanks in part to ocean protection laws at the state and federal level.

So, if you are planning to go to the beach this summer—especially near Cape Cod—keep in mind that these sharks are just swimming through their natural habitat. And thanks to tracking and research, we’re learning a lot more about them and the ocean they live in. Have you ever encountered a shark while swimming at the beach?