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Record-Breaking Great White Shark Spotted Off North Carolina

2/14/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Contender, a record-breaking great white shark, was located off the coast of North Carolina after tagging by the nonprofit OCEARCH, which has tagged over 475 animals since 1999.
Contender weighs nearly 1,700 pounds and measures over 13 feet long.
The ping occurred on February 8, about 45 miles southeast of Cape Fear.
Previously, Contender swam along the Florida coastline in January.
Sharks rarely bite humans.

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Story summary

Contender, a record-breaking great white shark, was located off the coast of North Carolina after tagging by the nonprofit OCEARCH, which has tagged over 475 animals since 1999.
Contender weighs nearly 1,700 pounds and measures over 13 feet long.
The ping occurred on February 8, about 45 miles southeast of Cape Fear.
Previously, Contender swam along the Florida coastline in January.
Sharks rarely bite humans.