A massive great white shark measuring more than 9 feet long was tracked just off the North Carolina coast Tuesday morning. The shark, named Quint, pinged near Wilmington Beach around 7:30 a.m.
Quint is part of a global tracking effort led by OCEARCH. The group monitors shark movements to support ocean research and conservation.
The sub-adult male was first tagged in July 2025 off Nova Scotia. At the time, he measured 9 feet 8 inches and weighed about 587 pounds.
Since then, Quint has traveled thousands of miles along the Atlantic coast. His latest ping shows he is now moving through waters near southeastern North Carolina.
Researchers say these tracking signals help scientists better understand migration patterns, feeding behavior, and habitat use. The data is shared publicly to support both science and education.
Quint also represents a major milestone. He is the 100th great white shark tagged by OCEARCH in the western North Atlantic population.
The shark was named in honor of Dr. Quinton White, a longtime marine science leader and partner in OCEARCH’s research efforts. His work helped strengthen collaboration between scientists and field researchers.
OCEARCH officials say the milestone reflects years of effort to better understand and protect great white sharks. When the program began, no sharks had been tagged in the region.
Today, the organization has built one of the largest tracking datasets for the species.
For beachgoers in the Carolinas, sightings like this are rare but not unusual. Experts emphasize that sharks typically stay offshore and play a critical role in maintaining ocean ecosystems.
Still, the latest ping serves as a reminder that one of the ocean’s top predators is currently swimming just off the Carolina coast.
