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10-Foot Great White Shark 'Penny' Detected Near Florida's Fort Myers Beach


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A 10-foot great white shark is lurking in the waters off a popular Florida beach, according to ocean research organization OCEARCH.

The shark known as Penny, who measures 10 foot 3 inches, was tracked off the coast of Fort Myers Beach at about 11 a.m. on Sunday, March 17.

Penny was first tagged by OCEARCH on April 23, 2023, in Ocracoke, North Carolina.

OCEARCH tracks great white sharks in order to learn more about their behavior. The trackers "ping" when a tagged shark's dorsal fin touches the surface of the water.

Great white shark
A stock photo shows a shark swimming underwater. A 10-foot shark has recently pinged off a popular Florida beach. Martin Heyn/Getty

Penny belongs to a population of great white sharks that migrate north to Canada for the summer months, before heading back along the East Coast towards Florida for the colder, winter months.

Penny is not alone in the waters off Florida. Other great white sharks have been tracked in the waters over the past few months. Great whites do not travel in groups and are always solitary, however, due to their migration patterns, it's not uncommon for many to be in the same place at once.

Rose, a shark measuring 10 foot and 5 inches, was tracked to the west of the state on March 18. Scot, a male shark measuring 12 feet, was also tracked off the south of the coast at the end of February.

Earlier this month, sharks began to gather off the waters of Florida just in time for spring break.

But while the weather is warming, meaning more people will be enjoying Florida's beaches, these sharks pose very little danger to humans.

Although Florida does see the highest amount of shark attacks of any U.S. state, according to the Shark Attack File, attacks remain very rare. And the elusive great white sharks are rarely seen in the water at the same time as humans.

However, the sharks are known for being aggressive and are part of the "big three," alongside tiger and bull sharks. Attacks are usually a case of mistaken identity, as the sharks don't target humans.

Although great white sharks are widely feared by humans, scientists still know very little about them. This is why OCEARCH tags and tracks them, seeking to monitor where they go and why.

Knowing more about their behavior will also help the conservation of the species, as they are vulnerable from trophy fishing as well as injuries from fishing nets, and other human activities.

Do you have a tip on a science story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about sharks? Let us know via [email protected].

Uncommon Knowledge

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

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