Great white shark pings off Florida beach four times in one day
- A 1,400-pound, 13-foot great white shark named Breton pinged off Daytona Beach, Florida, five times recently.
- This shark was tracked by OSEARCH, who monitors the movements of sharks for research.
- Breton's journey contributes to the understanding of shark behavior and conservation efforts.
In early November, Breton, a colossal 1,400-pound great white shark measuring 13 feet, began his journey from the coast of Newfoundland to warmer waters in Florida. This migration is typical for North Atlantic great white sharks, which often leave their summer feeding grounds to take advantage of warmer climates and more plentiful food resources. On Wednesday, Breton was first tracked pinging at the surface of Daytona Beach at 10:51 a.m., marking the beginning of a remarkable series of tracking events. He subsequently pinged four more times on Thursday, indicating his continued presence in the area. The shark trackers at OSEARCH reported that Breton pinged at 12:37 p.m., 3:55 p.m., 5:30 p.m., and 6:49 p.m. These pings provide essential data for researchers monitoring shark activity and behavior in their natural habitat. According to OSEARCH, a ping is recorded when a tagged shark surfaces for a brief period, and the tag itself is attached to the shark's dorsal fin. This form of tracking gives insight into the shark's movement patterns and habits over time. After the flurry of pings off the coast of Florida, Breton continued his journey westward on Friday and Saturday. His movements have been extensively documented, and as of the latest information, he has traveled nearly 139 miles in just 72 hours. This suggests a sustained effort to move towards areas that can provide him better opportunities for feeding and survival. Breton holds the distinction of being the first shark tagged during OSEARCH's Expedition Nova Scotia in 2020. He is named after Cape Breton, where researchers initially found him. Since then, he has accumulated an impressive travel record of over 41,000 miles in the past four and a half years. The data reveal a trend among white sharks, highlighting that they might have predictable access to specific areas, as seen in Breton's case where he is the fifth shark tagged by OSEARCH at Scatarie Island during their ongoing research efforts. Tracking the migration habits of sharks like Breton helps scientists better understand the dynamics of shark populations, which could eventually assist in their conservation.