Scientists tag 2,000-pound great white shark off popular Jacksonville, Fla., surf spot

A great white shark measuring 14 feet, 6 inches and weighing 2,000 pounds was tagged and released Sunday off Jacksonville, Florida.

It's a first for the region, Chris Fisher, founder of Ocearch, told the Florida Times-Union.

The shark, which was named Lydia, was caught in 25 feet of water beyond a popular surfing spot called Mayport Poles, near the Mayport Naval Station.

Ocearch stated Sunday on its Facebok page: "After days of relentless determination, the OCEARCH team was able to successfully tag and release the first Great White Shark off the coast of Jacksonville, Florida. Meet Lydia, weighing in at approx. 2,000 lbs at 14 ft, 6 in!"

The same researchers tagged a much larger great white, weighing nearly 3,500 pounds, last September off Cape Cod. That shark, named Mary Lee, appeared close to the Jacksonville coast last January and is presently much farther offshore, southwest of Bermuda.

It's hoped that the tracking study will enable scientists to learn more about the movements of white sharks off the East Coast.

Of Lydia's close proximity to shore Sunday, Greg Skomal of the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries told the Times-Union: "These sharks have probably been doing this for eons."

Skomal added that despite the great white's fearsome reputation, "the sharks have been pretty much going undetected."

People can check on the movements of sharks tagged by Ocearch via its website, and receive updates via its Facebook page.

--Image showing the shark tagged Sunday is courtesy of Ocearch

Comments

[Dottie Nelson]

The more we learn about these animals-- it will help protect them from "Us"-- we are the apex predators of the world-- and sadly it will disrupt the ecosystem if these wonderful animals are gone. Education is paramount-- and not Fear and Myth. These fish are the only animals-- ( I mean fish ) that spyhop-- looking above the surface of the water at their surroundings-- which means -- They think.

[CrazyStackyG]

I was wondering if any of U understand it is their ocean & their domain not ours. We are only visitors to this domain, we as a specie cannot exist under water without a breathing apparatus. We must find coexistence on this earth with our fellow earth dwellers.

[dw]

GM is an absolute idiot. He or she should be a sacrifice to the fish gods asap! Survival of the fittest and such...clearly don't want to pass those genes on.

[Rain]

Kill it before it kills somebody? Idiot comment! Humans kill more humans than a fish...paaaleeeese!

[GM]

In 25 feet near a popular surfing spot...how are these idiots going to feel, when this shark kills someone, when they had the chance to kill it first?

[Mary K]

Taylor Durden

Best comment to a news article I've ever seen. Kudos!

[Roberta DiRamio]

My little surfer, will be staying out of the ocean here in SPV that is,till this bitch and the rest of her clan has decided to leave the area! It'll probably be summer, before this little bad ass surfer gets to go back out there!! Such a shame the waves have been good and the weather mostly great.
Very Concerned Surfer's MOM

[Taylor Durden]

When these things develop their kelp breathing apparati and start coming for us on land, we are in serious trouble.