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Key Largo Today
By the People, for the People
Young white shark 'Penny' pings in Gulf for first time in 2026
The shark was tagged by OCEARCH in 2023 and has visited the Gulf before.
Published on Feb. 19, 2026
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A young white shark named Penny has emerged northwest of Key West in the Gulf of Mexico for the first time this year, according to data from the research nonprofit OCEARCH. Penny was tagged by OCEARCH in 2023 off Ocracoke, North Carolina, and this is not her first visit to the Gulf region.
Why it matters
OCEARCH's shark tracking data provides valuable insights into the migration patterns and behaviors of these marine predators, which can help inform conservation efforts and our understanding of the ocean ecosystem.
The details
Penny, a juvenile white shark, was last satellite pinged on Friday, Feb. 13, located roughly 90 miles west northwest of Key West. The most recent ping prior to this one was on Dec. 31, 2025, southeast of Key Largo on Florida's Atlantic Coast. OCEARCH said it's not Penny's first visit to the Gulf, as she first went to the southeast Gulf in early 2024.
- Penny was tagged by OCEARCH in April 2023 off Ocracoke, North Carolina.
- Penny was last satellite pinged on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026.
- Penny's previous ping was on Dec. 31, 2025, southeast of Key Largo, Florida.
- Penny first visited the southeast Gulf in early 2024.
The players
OCEARCH
A research nonprofit dedicated to studying and protecting sharks, whales, sea turtles, and other ocean life.
Penny
A juvenile white shark tagged by OCEARCH in 2023 off Ocracoke, North Carolina.
What’s next
OCEARCH said they're monitoring to see where Penny will head to next, noting that conditions are favorable and food sources are abundant in the Florida panhandle and Pulley Ridge, making it an ideal place for her to land.
The takeaway
Penny's movements, as tracked by OCEARCH, provide valuable data that can help scientists better understand the migration patterns and behaviors of white sharks, which is crucial for conservation efforts and protecting these important marine predators.
