A 16-foot great white shark tagged off the coast of California is now being tracked in the North Pacific, with its latest recorded position placing it several hundred kilometres west of Haida Gwaii.

The shark, named Kara, was tagged in October 2025 near Point Conception, California. Tagged in October 2025 near California by marine biologist Keith Poe of the Marine Conservation Science Institute, a non-profit organization specializing in shark research and satellite tracking.

Her movements are monitored through a satellite tag that sends a signal each time her dorsal fin breaks the surface, allowing researchers to track her position when she surfaces.

Kara’s latest “ping” places her well offshore in the North Pacific, several hundred kilometres west of Haida Gwaii.

Her northward movement stands out from what researchers typically expect. Most adult great white sharks in the eastern Pacific migrate offshore toward an area between California and Hawaii often referred to as the “White Shark CafĂ©.” Kara, however, has remained closer to the coastline, travelling north past Oregon and Washington, reaching waters near Vancouver Island earlier this year before continuing farther north.

Researchers are watching closely to better understand what may be driving this pattern. Factors could include changing ocean conditions or the availability of prey such as seals and sea lions along the coast.

Her presence in northern waters comes as great white sharks continue to appear, albeit rarely, in the region. Most recently, a 13.5-foot great white washed ashore near Tlell in 2024.

Each new satellite ping contributes to a growing body of data that helps researchers better understand how large marine predators move through coastal and offshore environments, and whether those movements are shifting over time.

Because the tag only transmits when the shark surfaces, updates can be intermittent, with gaps between recorded positions.