The Atlantic White Shark Conservancy team recently encountered a massive great white shark off the coast of South Carolina. The female shark, weighing nearly 3,000 pounds and 14 feet in length, is estimated to be between 25 and 30 years old. This rare find led researchers to feel like they had hit the lottery.
During this excursion, staff scientist Megan Winton teamed up with Chip Michalove of Outcast Sport Fishing for their first shark tagging charter of the season. They successfully tagged the enormous apex predator, which they named “LeeBeth.” The shark is believed to have spent some time in the northern coastal waters off Cape Cod during the summer, evidenced by the seal scratch marks present on her body.
In an impressive feat, the team managed to attach four different tags to LeeBeth, including:
- A satellite spot tag, which allows people to track the shark’s movements on the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy’s Sharktivity app
- A pop-up satellite archival tag, set to detach in 8 months
- The first-ever camera tag used on a shark in the southeastern region
Researchers were able to retrieve the camera tag a day after tagging LeeBeth, providing them with vital information and opening a window into the life of white sharks. Previously, camera tags have captured footage showing the daily activities of these apex predators, such as hunting seals, other fish, and even encounters with torpedo rays.
This groundbreaking endeavor exemplifies the importance of studying and monitoring the white shark population off the coast of Massachusetts, particularly during shark season. The tagging and monitoring efforts by the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy and collaborating researchers contribute to a better understanding of these powerful creatures’ movement patterns and habits. As the great white shark population continues to increase in the Cape Cod area, the data collected from tagged sharks proves valuable not only for scientific purposes but also for the safety of beachgoers and Outer Cape residents.
Through the use of technologies like satellite tags, camera tags, and the Sharktivity app, researchers like Megan Winton and Greg Skomal, as well as the team at Atlantic White Shark Conservancy, continue to deepen our knowledge of these fascinating apex predators and their behavior patterns. The successful tagging of LeeBeth showcases the dedication and passion of these scientists in studying and conserving great white sharks in the Atlantic Ocean.
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