Sardine: Pacific

Sardines, Sprats, Brisling, Herring, Pilchard

Iwashi

The name “Sardine” is applied to dozens of small pelagic fishes of the herring family. These include the “true Sardines” (genus Sardinops) as well as related fishes of the genera Harengula, Sardina, Sardinella and Sprattus. All of these species are relatively small (less than 40 cm long at full size) and all are pelagic plankton-feeders which travel in enormous schools. All are prolific breeders that mature quickly, but are subject to large population fluctuations as oceanographic conditions affect recruitment. These fishes are caught in vast numbers in pelagic trawls and purse seines. All are marketed, to various degrees, for human consumption, often as canned product. All have also been sought, to various degrees, as baitfish and as raw material for fishmeal and fish oil. Recent studies suggest three stocks of Pacific sardines along the North American west coast: a Gulf of California stock, a stock off the Pacific side of Baja California, and the main northern stock which historically ranged up the coast from Baja California to Alaska.

The Pacific sardine, a small, pelagic plankton-feeding fish, reproduces rapidly and prolifically making it of “low” conservation concern regarding fishing pressure.

Sardine populations experienced a historical decline, probably due to oceanographic cycles. Fossil evidence suggests that Pacific sardines have experienced “boom-and-bust” cycles about every 60 years, independent of fishing. Since the 1970s, the Pacific sardine has rebounded, and currently enjoys excellent abundance and a high growth rate and so the stock is currently considered of “low” conservation concern.

Pacific sardines are usually taken with purse-seines, a method that, in this fishery, produces little bycatch . Bycatch associated with the Pacific sardine fishery is of “low” conservation concern.

Pacific sardines are usually taken with purse-seines, a method that, in this fishery, produces little and negligable habitat damage. Habitat effects associated with the Pacific sardine fishery are of “low” conservation concern.

Management is attentive and proactive, with an fisheries management plan in place and an innovative system of catch quotas based on environmental conditions. Management of the Pacific sardine fishery is considered “effective”.

Not applicable.

Contaminant levels do not warrant a consumption advisory.

No.