A massive visitor has recently made his presence known in the waters off Indian River County, reminding residents and anglers alike of the diverse marine life inhabiting the Treasure Coast. “Contender,” a colossal male great white shark tagged by the research organization OCEARCH, was tracked pinging directly off the coast of **Vero Beach** and **Sebastian** in mid-January.
According to the tracking data, the shark pinged off **Vero Beach** at 11:30 a.m. on January 16 before moving north and pinging off **Sebastian** at 10:35 a.m. on January 19. This is not just any average shark sighting; Contender is a heavyweight of the ocean.
Contender weighs approximately 1,653 pounds and measures an impressive 13 feet, 9 inches in length. He is the largest male great white shark ever tagged by OCEARCH.
While the presence of a great white near the Treasure Coast generates excitement, Florida waters are home to over 20 different shark species. The *Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)* maintains records of the largest sharks ever caught in state or federal waters through its *Catch A Florida Memory* program. While Contender remains swimming freely, historical catches show just how large sharks in the Sunshine State can grow.
The FWC lists the following top five records for the biggest sharks caught in Florida history:
- Tiger shark: 1,069.06 pounds, caught off Pensacola in 1981.
- Hammerhead shark: 1,063.75 pounds, caught off Boca Grande in 2009.
- Mako shark: 911.75 pounds, caught off Palm Beach in 1962.
- Dusky shark: 764.25 pounds, caught off Longboat Key in 1982.
- White shark: 686.38 pounds, caught off Key West in 1988.
For local anglers in **Vero Beach** and **Indian River County** who believe they may have landed a record-breaking catch, the *Catch A Florida Memory* program has strict qualification requirements to verify the achievement. To submit a catch for record consideration, anglers must adhere to the following guidelines:
- A completed application form must be submitted, featuring the angler’s signature and a notary stamp.
- Applications must include digital or print photographs that clearly show the gear used, the angler with the catch, various angles of the fish for species identification, and verification photos for weight or length.
- Youth applications must be submitted within three months of the catch date.
- Video evidence is accepted for both youth and adult length record categories.
Conservation remains a priority for the FWC, particularly regarding the handling of these powerful creatures. The agency strongly encourages best practices to ensure the survival of released fish. When handling a catch, especially for length-category submissions, anglers should use wet hands, keep their fingers away from the fish’s eyes and gills, and keep the fish submerged in the water while measuring. If the fish must be handled, the measuring device should be wetted beforehand to protect the fish’s slime coat.
Residents interested in tracking shark research or viewing publications can find resources through the Florida Program for Shark Research at the *University of Florida’s Florida Museum of Natural History*. For now, the ping from Contender serves as a thrilling reminder of the wild nature of the Atlantic Ocean right in our backyard.
