2 Gargantuan Great White Sharks Just Emerged Off the U.S. East Coast

The east coast of the US has recently had some very special visitors. Two great white sharks have been visiting these waters and thanks to ground-breaking research you can track their movements yourself! Their names are Gladee and Andromache and they are part of the Ocearch online shark tracker project. So, let’s find out more about them!

How Does Shark Tracking Work?

Ocearch is a global research organization that collects data on sharks. To track specific individuals they start by catching the sharks using handlines. The animals are tagged, measurements are recorded, and blood and tissue samples are taken. There is no evidence that the tag is uncomfortable or changes the shark’s behavior in any way.

This tracking data is vital for future conservation efforts and the data is shared collaboratively with other research organizations. Meanwhile, the tracking data is publicly available to anyone who visits the website. The sharks create a ‘ping’ when they surface. This is because the tag switch needs to be dry for 90 seconds to give three consecutive pings which allow an accurate geo-position to be recorded. Some of the sharks have more pings because they spend more time on the surface. After around five years, the battery on the tracker runs out and the shark’s movements become a mystery once more!

Shark Movements off the East US Coast

Gladee is an 8 feet 8 inch long female white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) who weighs 396 pounds. She was a juvenile when she was first tagged in October 2020 at Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. Since then, she has traveled 11,953 miles! During 2023, she has traveled up and down the east coast from Pamlico Sound in the north down to Daytona Beach in the south. During December 2023, she has been recorded along the Palm Coast. Her latest ping (December 16^th 2023) she was just off the coast of Cumberland Island, Georgia. Check out Gladee’s latest position for yourself here!

Andromache is another young female great white. She is 10 feet and 8 inches in length and weighs 341 pounds. The project has been tracking her since she was tagged in August 2020 off the coast of Cape Cod. Here tracking data since then shows that she has traveled as far north as the Bay of Fundy and as far south as Straits of Florida. In total, she has covered 14, 232 miles. During December 2023 she has spent her time along the West Florida Escarpment. Her latest ping (December 15^th 2023) was close to the Florida Abyssal Plain. Check out her latest pings for yourself here!

How Do Great White Sharks Normally Behave?

These are normally solitary creatures but they are sometimes seen in pairs or small groups. They are intelligent and have highly developed senses. These sharks have a reputation for making short, fast chases and breaking the water. They move around to find the best sources of food. Their diet is made up of seals, dolphins, and sea lions but will also feast on whale carcasses.