Giant Shark Tracked From Florida to New York Sparks Swimmer Concerns

A massive great white shark that began its journey in Florida has now made its way to New York waters, stirring concern among beachgoers along the East Coast.

The shark, a 761-pound female great white measuring nearly 12 feet long, was tagged by researchers earlier this year and named Dold in honor of Christopher Dold, a leader in ocean conservation and Chief Officer at SeaWorld.

Dold was first tracked near the Florida-Georgia border in February, but in recent weeks the shark has made headlines after being pinged off the coast of Monmouth County, New Jersey, on June 19th and 20th (the same dates as the 50th anniversary of the movie Jaws).

Researchers from OCEARCH, a nonprofit organization that tracks ocean life, tagged Dold as part of their ongoing mission to study great white migration, better understand their habits, and improve public safety measures.

Dold’s journey hasn’t ended in New Jersey. After moving through the coastal waters of New York, she was most recently located near Massachusetts.

This follows a seasonal pattern common to great whites who migrate north during the summer months in search of cooler waters and abundant food sources.

According to experts, while shark sightings off New York’s coast are nothing new, Dold's size and timing have attracted extra attention.

However, authorities stress that while shark encounters are rare, swimmers should always follow posted warnings and stay alert in the water.

Sharks in New York Waters

Dold isn’t the only shark that calls New York’s coastline is home. New York hosts several shark species, some more threatening than others. Here’s a look at a few commonly found in the region:

Mako Shark: Known as the fastest shark in the world (up to 43 mph), they are powerful and potentially dangerous.

Basking Shark: Massive, gentle giants that can grow up to 40 feet. Despite their size, they pose no danger to humans.

Great White Shark: Apex predators that occasionally interact with boats and fishing activity. Their size and strength can pose a risk.

Blue Shark: Often curious and attracted to food, with a small number of bites reported worldwide.

Sandbar (Brown) Shark: Frequently seen near the shore, but generally not considered a threat.

Thresher Shark: Known for their long tails used to stun prey. Not considered dangerous to humans.

Dusky Shark: Lives close to shore. Larger individuals may be risky to humans.

Hammerhead Shark: Four species live near New York’s coast, all considered potentially dangerous.

Sand Tiger Shark: Involved in two non-fatal bites near Fire Island in 2018.

Smooth Dogfish: Harmless species sometimes confused with more aggressive sharks. One was possibly spotted in the Hudson River in 2020.

Giant Shark Tracked From Florida to New York Sparks Swimmer Concerns