Insights From A White Shark’s Epic Odyssey

If sharks could be likened to long-haul truckers, navigating across the invisible highways across our oceans, great white sharks are a great representation. Thanks to social media platforms like X (formerly known as Twitter), great white sharks showed scientists and the public alike just where these roads zig-zagged in ocean basins. LeeBeth, a 14-foot (4.3-meter) great white shark is the latest one whose journey is capturing our fascination.

Characterized by their sleek, torpedo-shaped bodies, serrated teeth, and powerful jaws, great whites are known to prey on a variety of animals. Found in coastal waters around the world, great whites play a crucial role in maintaining the health and balance of marine ecosystems. Despite their portrayal in popular culture as ruthless killers, great whites are largely misunderstood creatures whose behavior and ecology continue to captivate scientists and enthusiasts alike, offering valuable insights into the complex dynamics of marine life. While beachgoers might not relish the idea of sharing the waters with this formidable predator, scientists tracking LeeBeth’s movements are elated by the prospect of unraveling the mysteries that lie within her extensive travels.

Her incredible journey began when she was fitted with a tracking device off the coast of South Carolina in December 2023. Since then, LeeBeth has traversed over 2,000 miles (3,200 kilometers) southward, venturing deep into the Gulf of Mexico. In a historic feat, she surpassed the previous tracking records for white sharks, raising the eyebrows of scientists as she approached the Gulf’s westernmost regions, near Matamoros, Mexico, just across the U.S. border from South Padre Island, Texas.

Scientists believe this modern-day maritime odyssey could unlock invaluable insights into the behavior and conservation of the great white shark species. Megan Winton, a senior scientist with the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy in Chatham, Massachusetts, notes that LeeBeth’s western sojourn underscores the potential importance of this Gulf region for white sharks. As the species recovers from decades of overfishing, international collaboration becomes crucial in safeguarding their future.

“We don’t know how many white sharks travel that far west, but it's a good indication they do,” Winton asserts. “There are only a handful of sharks that have been tracked west of the Mississippi.”

The Atlantic White Shark Conservancy, in partnership with the Massachusetts state government, has been diligently tagging white sharks, with over 300 individuals tagged to date. This collaborative effort extends worldwide, involving thousands of sharks tagged by various organizations. LeeBeth was tagged in collaboration with Outcast Sport Fishing of Hilton Head, South Carolina. Chip Michalove, owner of Outcast, describes LeeBeth as not only one of their biggest stars: “Not only one of the biggest sharks we've caught, but she's the best-pinging shark as well. We definitely hit a home run with LeeBeth.”

The tracking device, triggered whenever she breaches the water’s surface, has proven instrumental in uncovering the secrets of her migratory path. Tagging sharks has revolutionized our understanding of these elusive apex predators, offering unprecedented insights into their behavior, movements, and ecology. By affixing these devices to sharks’ dorsal fins, researchers can monitor their migratory patterns, habitat preferences, and interactions with their environment in near real-time. Moreover, scientists can also study the impact of environmental changes, human activities, and conservation efforts on shark populations through this technology.

As of her last check-in on March 7, LeeBeth was approximately 100 miles (160 kilometers) off the coast of Galveston, Texas, leaving scientists and enthusiasts alike eagerly anticipating the next chapter in this extraordinary saga.