Massive Great White Shark Headed Toward Louisiana

A nearly 10-foot, 637-pound great white shark named Ormond has surfaced for the first time in over a year—and he appears to be making his way toward Louisiana.

The massive predator, tagged by OCEARCH scientists off the coast of Georgia in 2022, sent multiple location pings in the Gulf of Mexico in recent days, surfacing near Florida Panhandle beaches, including Pensacola, Destin, and Panama City. On March 4, he was tracked just off the Alabama-Florida line, raising the possibility that he could continue westward toward Louisiana waters.

What Does This Mean for Louisiana?

While Louisiana residents don’t typically spend much time in the deeper Gulf waters where sharks roam, many vacation along Gulf Coast beaches in Alabama and Florida, where Ormond has been active. With spring break and summer vacations around the corner, his movements are drawing attention in social media comment sections.

If Ormond continues westward, he could become one of only a handful of great white sharks ever tracked near Louisiana. Historically, white sharks in the Gulf tend to stay east of the Mississippi River, but recent years have seen an uptick in sightings farther west. Earlier this year, a 14-foot, 2,800-pound great white named LeeBeth shocked researchers when she surfaced off Louisiana’s coast before moving toward Texas and the Mexico border.

What We Know About Ormond

Ormond, named after Ormond Beach, Florida, was tagged in November 2022 and has since traveled over 4,300 miles along the U.S. East Coast, reaching as far north as Nova Scotia before migrating south into the Gulf. After disappearing from trackers for over a year, his recent surge in activity—pinging eight times in just two days—has scientists watching closely.

Great white sharks migrate south during the winter, following food sources and warmer waters. Their presence in the Gulf suggests a potentially growing population, which scientists say is a positive sign for conservation efforts.

How to Keep Tabs on Ormond and Other Great White Sharks Like Him

For those interested in following Ormond’s journey, OCEARCH provides a live shark tracker that updates every time a tagged shark surfaces. You can check out his latest location and track other great whites by visiting OCEARCH’s website.

As Louisiana residents prepare for beach trips this spring and summer, it’s worth keeping an eye on Ormond’s path. While great white shark encounters remain extremely rare, it's always better to be safe than sorry.