A recent article from a Texas news source mistakenly reported that “LeeBeth,” a great white shark tagged by the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy, had been sighted off South Padre Island on July 10. However, data from the Sharktivity app shows that LeeBeth is currently swimming in the waters off Nova Scotia. Her last ping was recorded July 14 and she’s thousands of miles from Texas.
The error likely stemmed from referencing outdated information, as LeeBeth was last tracked in the Gulf off the coast of Florida May 6 and hasn’t been on the Texas Coast since March 7.
LeeBeth’s journey has been an incredible one. Initially tagged by the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy, her movements have provided valuable insights into the migratory patterns of great white sharks into the Gulf of Mexico.
After being tagged Dec. 2023 in South Carolina, LeeBeth traveled a significant distance, moving across the Gulf to the Texas/Mexico border, eventually moving along the Gulf Coast and up the Eastern Seaboard to Canada.
The Sharktivity app, developed by the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy, allows researchers and the public to track tagged sharks in amazing fashion. This app has become an essential tool for marine biologists, offering real-time data on shark movements, which helps in understanding their behavior, habitat use, and migration patterns.
This incident underscores the importance of relying on current and verified data, especially when it comes to tracking the movements of migratory species like great white sharks. By using tools like the Sharktivity app, researchers and enthusiasts can stay informed with the most up-to-date information.
Chester Moore