OCEARCH spring migration: 'Contender' Nantucket, 'Bella' LA, Brookes Panhandle + tagging
Key Questions
What is the journey of OCEARCH's 'Contender'?
'Contender,' a record 14-foot male great white weighing over 1,600 lbs, traveled 6,839 miles from Nantucket via St. Augustine, Turks, Georgia, to Myrtle Beach, Wilmington, SC/NC, and GA Gulf Stream deep waters, possibly for foraging or breeding.
Where was 'Bella' tracked?
'Bella,' a 10-foot-2-inch, 729 lb juvenile female, was spotted in Louisiana and the Florida Panhandle.
Tell me about Brookes' migration.
Brookes, a juvenile great white, traveled over 5,000 miles and was spotted off the Florida Panhandle, part of 92 great whites in the Gulf.
What other OCEARCH sharks were noted in Florida?
'Breton' off Georgia, 'Goodall' at St. Pete/Crystal Bay west FL at dawn, 'Mira' at St. Pete, and 'Cayo' (10ft juvenile female) at Satellite Beach east FL. Daytona also had pings.
What South Carolina tagging occurred?
Three great whites tagged off SC coast, one over 1,600 lbs; Montauk, NY, had the earliest drone sighting in 8 years.
Why are SoCal shark sightings up?
CSULB's Lowe predicts a 'sharky summer' in Santa Barbara, Newport, Hermosa due to heatwave, El Niño, and great white influx to northern nurseries. Rescues like Phan's video highlight activity.
What is the significance of Montauk sighting?
Two great whites, including 'Goodall,' were reported off Florida coasts like St. Pete.
‘Contender’ (record 14ft male) Myrtle Beach/Wilmington SC/NC/GA Gulf Stream deep waters (6839mi journey, foraging/breeding?) post Nantucket/St Augustine/Turks/GA; SC 3 tagged GWs (1x1600+lbs); Montauk NY drone earliest 8yrs; ‘Breton’ Georgia; ‘Bella’ LA/Panhandle; ‘Goodall’ St Pete/Crystal Bay west FL dawn; Cayo (10ft juv F) Satellite Beach east FL; Mira St Pete; Brookes juv Panhandle (5k mi, 92 GWs Gulf); Daytona. CSULB Lowe 'sharky summer' Santa Barbara/Newport/Hermosa rescues (Phan vid) + heatwave/El Niño GW influx (nurseries north).