Massive shark swims down Florida coast as Spring Break kicks off: officials

FLORIDA - As Spring Break kicks off in Florida, a massive 1,653-pound, 13-foot great white shark has been tracked off the coast.

As of Thursday morning, data shows that the shark had been pinged just a few miles from Sebastian and is continuing south.

Meet great white shark ‘Contender’

The backstory:

OCEARCH, a global nonprofit organization that conducts research on the ocean's giants to help scientists collect data, has named the shark "Contender."

The organization calls Contender "the ultimate ocean warrior," as he is the largest shark to be tracked by the organization.

OCEARCH data shows that Contender weighs 1,653 pounds and measures 13 feet and 9 inches.

The group first tagged Contender as he passed the Florida-Georgia border in January.

"Contender is a significant addition to ongoing research efforts in the western North Atlantic to understand the reproductive cycle and timing of breeding in adult white sharks, particularly in the overwintering period," Dr. Harley Newton, OCEARCH chief scientist and veterinarian, said in a statement to Fox News.

The group is currently tracking Contender’s movements, while also obtaining biological samples for analysis.

While Contender is nearly 14 feet long, great white sharks can grow to lengths of 21 feet and weigh as much as 4,500 pounds, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Are there any other sharks in the area?

Dig deeper:

Contender isn't the only great white shark exploring the coastline.

Scientists are also keeping their eyes on "Dold," an 11-foot, 761-pound shark, who was last seen heading south through Hobe Sound, approximately 100 miles ahead of Contender.

According to tracking data, if the predators continue their current paths, Contender and Dold will soon pass by Fort Lauderdale and Miami before rounding off the southernmost point of the Sunshine State — though their tracks are not guaranteed.

What is a ping?

A ping refers to the satellite tag that is attached by OCEARCH researchers to a shark's dorsal fin. The ping moves above the water's surface and sends location information to trackers.

The ping helps provide an update on a shark's position on the OCEARCH Global Shark Tracker map. This then allows researchers and the public to follow the shark's movements in near real-time.

What is OCEARCH?

OCEARCH is a global nonprofit organization that conducts research on the ocean's giants to help scientists collect data. The organization's mission is to accelerate the ocean's return to balance and abundance through innovations in scientific research, education, outreach and policy.

STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: