Great white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) inhabit coastal and offshore waters globally, undertaking genuinely epic migrations<\/a> that span thousands of kilometers. However, they tend to stick within just three genetically distinct populations<\/a> in the North Atlantic\/Mediterranean, the North Pacific, and the Indo-Pacific regions. This trio of geographic lineages separated from each other between 100,000 and 200,000 years ago, and they scarcely come into contact with each other today.<\/p>\n A fuller shot of Contender, the largest male great white shark that\u2019s been caught, tagged, and released in the North Atlantic by OCEARCH.<\/p>\n Image credit: OCEARCH<\/p>\n At an estimated 750 kilograms (1,653 pounds), Contender is a true giant \u2013 especially for a male. While female sharks often tower over their male counterparts, averaging approximately<\/a> 4.6 to 4.9 meters (15 to 16 feet) compared with the 3.4 to 4.0 meters (11 to 13 feet) typical of males, Contender still commands attention as a colossal force of nature in his own right.<\/p>\n \u201cAlthough we have tagged and released a number of sharks as part of this project, animals of adult size have proven elusive,\u201d Dr Harley Newton, OCEARCH\u2019s chief veterinarian and senior veterinary scientist, told Oceanographic<\/a> in February 2025.<\/p>\n \u201cMale white sharks are mature at around 11.5 feet and 26 years of age, so Contender at 14 feet is an adult male probably in his early 30\u2019s and early in his reproductive life. He is an important part of the effective breeding population and will hopefully contribute to the rebuilding of the western North Atlantic white shark population,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n OCEARCH has tagged much larger females in the North Atlantic. For instance, there\u2019s Mary Lee<\/a>, measuring 4.8 meters (16 feet) and weighing an estimated 1,197 kilograms (2,639 pounds). There\u2019s also Nukumi<\/a>, a female measuring 5.2 meters (17 feet 2 inches) who hasn\u2019t been recorded since 2021.<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1_17_2025_Ongoing_Field_Research_WhiteShark_Contender_Brett_McBride.png\" "\\"A")
<\/p>\n