A 10-foot, 522-pound great white shark named Penny was recently tracked off the Florida coast, according to OCEARCH, a nonprofit organization focused on ocean research and conservation. Data from the tracker placed Penny near Brevard County as of 11 a.m. Friday.
Penny’s Journey
Penny was first tagged on December 23, 2023, off the coast of Boynton Beach, Florida. Since then, she has traveled extensively. Her path included a journey southwest into the Florida Keys, followed by a venture into the Gulf of Mexico. After a stop near Sanibel Island, Penny moved up the eastern seaboard, reaching as far north as New Brunswick, Canada, before returning south to Florida.
Her most recent activity was recorded in Florida’s Brevard County, providing valuable data about her migratory behavior.
Insights from Experts
Dr. Toby Daly-Engel, director of the shark conservation lab at Florida Institute of Technology, explained that sharks often head south during the winter months, following prey fish seeking warmer waters.
“When the water up north gets cold, the sharks follow their food,” Daly-Engel said. He noted that tracking data not only helps researchers understand migration patterns but also reveals how animals are adapting to climate change.
“Like birds, sharks rely on temperature cues to dictate when to migrate,” he added. “If those cues shift due to climate change, the sharks’ migration patterns will shift too.”
OCEARCH’s Work
Penny is the 92nd great white shark tagged by OCEARCH in western North America. She was named in honor of the team at Salty Penny Canvas in North Carolina, whose custom marine projects support OCEARCH’s research efforts by enhancing operational comfort and resilience in tough conditions.
OCEARCH’s tracking tool allows the public to follow Penny’s movements, as well as those of other great white sharks and marine species like loggerhead sea turtles.
The tracking data continues to provide valuable insights into the lives of these apex predators and their responses to environmental changes.
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