Swimmers at the beach might not be excited to see the 14-foot (4.3-meter) white shark, but scientists following LeeBeth's movements are thrilled that the big fish's epic journey could provide valuable clues to help the species. White sharks, often referred to as great whites, were made famous by the hit movie “Jaws.” They roam the ocean searching for their favorite food, marine mammals, and were once hunted without discrimination. They watched as she made history in late February by traveling further into the Gulf than any previously tracked white shark. “We don't know how many white sharks travel that far west, but it's a good indication they do,” Winton said. The conservancy paired up with fishing charter Outcast Sport Fishing of Hilton Head, South Carolina, to tag LeeBeth.

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Persons: she'll, LeeBeth, Megan Winton, “, ” Winton, Winton, Chip Michalove, we've, ” Michalove, ” Organizations: Shark Conservancy, Conservancy, conservancy Locations: South Carolina, Gulf of Mexico, Matamoros, Mexico, South Padre Island , Texas, Gulf, Chatham , Massachusetts, Mississippi, Massachusetts, Head , South Carolina, Galveston , Texas