Great White Sharks Return to Atlantic Coasts

The North Atlantic is experiencing a resurgence of great white sharks, a trend linked to the species' federal protection since 1997. Researchers on Cape Cod, including Dr. Greg Skomal of the Massachusetts Department of Marine Fisheries, have recorded frequent sightings near the shoreline as the sharks follow expanding grey seal populations, turning the area into a global white‑shark hotspot.

The largest Atlantic great white on record, a 14‑ft male dubbed “Contender,” was tagged by the OCEARCH program off the Florida‑Georgia coast in January 2025. After traveling more than 7,000 miles, the shark briefly resurfaced in early July, sending a weak “Z‑ping” signal that suggests it is heading north toward Cape Cod or Atlantic Canada. Scientists note that warming ocean temperatures could eventually bring great whites as far as the British coastline.

Tagging and satellite data are helping scientists monitor individual movements, population size, and migration patterns, providing new insight into the species' recovery and its expanding range across the Atlantic.