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Massive great white shark detected by researchers off Mississippi coast

Posted on 2/1/26 at 6:28 pm
Posted by Major Dutch Schaefer
Location: Classified
Member since Nov 2011
38460 posts
Posted on 2/1/26 at 6:28 pm
LINK

quote:

A massive great white shark was patrolling the waters just off Alabama’s coast in January — and now, off the coast of Mississippi.

Around the middle of January, the 12-foot, nearly 1,000-pound female shark, known as "Ernst," was detected off the coast of Gulf Shores, Alabama, after her satellite tag pinged, researchers said.

That location a few weeks ago marked one of the westernmost points recorded for a great white shark in the Gulf and was considered unusual behavior, researchers told news agency SWNS.


quote:

The ping placed the shark near the Chandeleur Islands, a chain of barrier islands in the Gulf of America off the coast of Louisiana.

Researchers said the shark’s proximity to shore was notable and that it falls outside what they typically observe for great white sharks in the region.
Posted by TigerBlood17
Member since Jan 2014
1601 posts
Posted on 2/1/26 at 6:52 pm to
Come on man,12 feet is not massive for a great white.
Posted by Pitt Road
Mid-Florida
Member since Aug 2017
1168 posts
Posted on 2/1/26 at 7:56 pm to
quote:

1,000-pound female shark, known as "Ernst,"


Wut?
Posted by The Levee
Bat Country
Member since Feb 2006
11743 posts
Posted on 2/1/26 at 8:34 pm to
This confirms I’ll never fish the chandeliers

Too many stories of bulls and now this…
Posted by Antib551
Houma, LA
Member since Dec 2018
1389 posts
Posted on 2/1/26 at 9:11 pm to
quote:

Come on man,12 feet is not massive for a great white.
Typical sensationalism...fricking dumb. White sharks are fairly regularly spotted in Lousiana west of the Mississippi as well. Several reports ra ging all the way down the Texas coast to South Padre.
Posted by Ace Midnight
Between sanity and madness
Member since Dec 2006
95020 posts
Posted on 2/2/26 at 7:52 am to
quote:

Come on man,12 feet is not massive for a great white.


A 12-foot, 1000 pound female is nothing to sneeze at, but she ain't no Deep Blue or Haole Girl (NTTAWWT), that's for sure.

When the gals get that big (over 2 metric tons, 18 to 20 feet), they apparently lose some of that aggressiveness as well.
Posted by Zap Rowsdower
MissLou, La
Member since Sep 2010
15861 posts
Posted on 2/2/26 at 8:16 am to
Posted by slidingstop
Member since Jan 2025
1907 posts
Posted on 2/2/26 at 9:21 am to
quote:

This confirms I’ll never fish the chandeliers


Just don't wade fish and you have nothing to worry about.
Posted by AutoYes_Clown
Baton Rouge, LA
Member since Oct 2012
5348 posts
Posted on 2/2/26 at 9:59 am to
Is anyone here a Marine Biologist?



What exactly are the GoA/GoM great whites feeding on? Are they preying on and catching 150lb+ tuna or are they scavenging and are there enough dying whales and such keeping them sustained for weeks/months?
This post was edited on 2/2/26 at 10:00 am
Posted by Saskwatch
Member since Feb 2016
18088 posts
Posted on 2/2/26 at 10:30 am to
quote:

Are they preying on and catching 150lb+ tuna or are they scavenging and are there enough dying whales and such keeping them sustained for weeks/months?


According to google they’ll eat everything but prefer marine mammals as they get older - dolphins and whales in Gulf

They also eat other sharks and rays - plenty in gulf

They will eat tuna - probably impossible speed wise for a large GW. Probably can pick one off when they are schooled up on bait balls.
Posted by RichJ
The Land of the CoonAss
Member since Nov 2016
5317 posts
Posted on 2/2/26 at 12:24 pm to
Posted by caro81
Member since Jul 2017
6096 posts
Posted on 2/2/26 at 12:39 pm to
quote:

Typical sensationalism...fricking dumb. White sharks are fairly regularly spotted in Lousiana west of the Mississippi as well. Several reports ra ging all the way down the Texas coast to South Padre.


somewhat agree. this isnt as odd as they are making it sound.

they also dont discuss the behavior of the visit, which was probably very short and an in and out scan of the area. 12 foot is a juvenile/sub adult. pretty inexperienced and may be learning routes.

pretty cool none the less.
Posted by CHEDBALLZ
South Central LA
Member since Dec 2009
23163 posts
Posted on 2/2/26 at 1:14 pm to
quote:

According to google they’ll eat everything but prefer marine mammals as they get older - dolphins and whales in Gulf



If thats the case it would be nice for them to set up around Belle Pass and take care of some of these Dolphins that ruin fishing trips.
Posted by gaetti15
AK
Member since Apr 2013
14950 posts
Posted on 2/2/26 at 1:53 pm to
quote:

What exactly are the GoA/GoM great whites feeding on? Are they preying on and catching 150lb+ tuna or are they scavenging and are there enough dying whales and such keeping them sustained for weeks/months?


you know why they say don't get stuck in a rip current? well, the Sharks don't recommend you follow that straight into their mouths at the end of it
Posted by Topwater Trout
Red Stick
Member since Oct 2010
69657 posts
Posted on 2/2/26 at 1:55 pm to
quote:

Researchers said the shark’s proximity to shore was notable and that it falls outside what they typically observe for great white sharks in the region.


at least 4 or 5 have been caught from the beach from orange beach to Navarre in the last 4-5 yrs. They are really on here a few months and then migrate back up the east coast to Mass or further up to canada. Pretty awesome to think that I could go out to last island and possibly see one right now
Posted by R11
Member since Aug 2017
5210 posts
Posted on 2/3/26 at 8:02 am to
Need pics
Posted by TopWaterTiger
Lake Charles, LA
Member since May 2006
12107 posts
Posted on 2/3/26 at 2:31 pm to
quote:

Pretty awesome to think that I could go out to last island and possibly see one right now


I've been fascinated with Ocearch's research tag project on this. We've always believed they were in the Gulf but never this close to shore.

I do wonder if they are chasing blue fin tuna migration Jan - Jun.? But I don't see how any GW shark would catch a tuna.
Posted by jmorr34
Baton Rouge
Member since Sep 2004
3379 posts
Posted on 2/3/26 at 3:34 pm to
Posted by Topwater Trout
Red Stick
Member since Oct 2010
69657 posts
Posted on 2/3/26 at 3:54 pm to
quote:

I do wonder if they are chasing blue fin tuna migration Jan - Jun.? But I don't see how any GW shark would catch a tuna.



Makos are capable but I don't think GW would be unless the tuna was injured. I think they are eating other sharks.

I remember reading stories of 1,000lb makos biting porpoises in half near the beach around this time of year in florida but I am betting now that it was probably more likely great whites doing that...makos tend to like deeper water and IDK if I have ever seen or read about any makos being caught off the beach.
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