Sarasota, FL – A massive 10-foot great white shark nicknamed “Crystal” made waves as she surfaced off Sarasota’s coast, signaling her migration through the Gulf of Mexico.
Tracked by OCEARCH, a nonprofit dedicated to studying ocean predators, Crystal’s recent movements offer a fascinating glimpse into the habits of these apex predators.
On the evening of January 3rd, Crystal pinged near the West Florida Escarpment—a staggering 560-mile-long underwater cliff that plunges the seafloor from 300 feet to nearly 10,000 feet deep.
Located 155 to 215 miles off Sarasota’s coast, this area marks her latest recorded location.
Prior to this, Crystal was tracked off Pensacola on December 10th.
A “ping” occurs when the satellite tag attached to Crystal’s dorsal fin surfaces, sending her location data to researchers.
These pings are critical in understanding the migratory patterns of great white sharks, particularly as colder waters in Canada and New England push them southward in search of warmer climates and abundant food during winter months.