Bella

By Zak Failla From Daily Voice

A massive 700-pound white shark cruising south for the winter has surfaced off the Virginia coastline, trackers say.

"Bella," a 10-foot-2 white shark weighing in at 729 pounds, is making her way down the East Coast after first being tagged in Nova Scotia before being pinged near Virginia Beach late last month. 

The shark was first tagged on July 18 in Mahone Bay, up in Canada, before being tracked off the coast before noon on Saturday, Nov. 29. She had previously been spotted around Montauk and in the Chesapeake Bay. 

"Shark bites are rare events especially in Maryland waters," officials said. "When swimming in the ocean, Coastal Bays, or even Chesapeake Bay, folks should keep in mind that they are entering the habitat of sharks."

Officials advised that shark fishing is regulated, and only some can be legally targeted.

"It's good to follow the maxim of 'if you don't know, let it go.'" 

For now, Bella continues her winter journey south — and trackers say she could pop up anywhere along the East Coast.