A massive 1,400-pound, 13-foot-long great white shark—nicknamed "Breton" by scientists—was recently tracked near Daytona Beach in Volusia County, Florida, where it surfaced four times in a single day.
This adult specimen, tagged by the nonprofit scientific organization OCEARCH, has traveled over 41,000 miles since it was tagged in 2020.
Breton's tracking is conducted through a device placed on its dorsal fin, which sends a notification (ping) when the shark spends time on the water's surface.
According to the data collected by OCEARCH:
-Breton issued an initial notice on Wednesday at 10:51 a.m.
On Thursday, it appeared again at 12:37 p.m., 3:55 p.m., 5:30 p.m., and 6:49 p.m.
The most recent advisory was recorded on Friday in Blake Plateau, an underwater area of the western Atlantic.
In the past three days, Breton has traveled approximately 139 miles, following a migratory pattern typical of great white sharks in search of warmer waters and abundant food sources.
Origin and trajectory
Breton was the first shark tagged during the 2020 Nova Scotia Expedition by OCEARCH, conducted on Scatarie Island, Nova Scotia.
Its name pays tribute to Cape Breton, the location where it was initially identified. Since then, it has traveled along the east coast of North America, visiting Florida on several occasions.
The shark began its current migration in December, departing from the waters of Newfoundland heading south.
These types of movements are common in the great white sharks of the North Atlantic, which often leave their summer feeding areas in search of warmer climates.
The presence of other great white sharks
Breton is not alone on this journey. Another male specimen, known as Bob, measuring 4 meters long, was detected near the coast of Florida on January 5, 2025.
This migratory behavior reinforces the research conducted by OCEARCH, which has identified predictable patterns in the movements of these species.
Impact and curiosities
In 2022, Breton went viral due to a curious event: the data from its labeling revealed a "self-portrait" in its alert history.
In addition, in 2023, it was detected near the Pamlico Sound in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), great white sharks can be found in a range that extends from Maine to the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean.
These types of sightings not only generate public interest but also provide researchers with valuable information to better understand the behavior and conservation of these species.
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