Sardine Biology

Sardine Fishery Home Sardine Biology Permit Conditions 2008 Sardine Landing Summary Sardine Summary Reports [PDF Format] 2007 Experimental Purse Seine Fishery 2006 Experimental Purse Seine Fishery 2005 Experimental Purse Seine Fishery 2004 Experimental Purse Seine Fishery 2003 Trial Purse Seine Fishery 2002 Trial Purse Seine Fishery 2001 Trial Purse Seine Fishery

Pacific Sardines Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) staff collect sardine samples throughout the commercial sardine seine season. The sardines are taken back to WDFW’s lab and weighed, measured, sexed, checked for maturity, and aged. The biological data collected is used for future stock assessments and for estimating biomass, which is used to set the harvest guideline. Sardine otoliths used for aging. Sardines can live as long as fourteen years but historical and commercial catches are usually younger than five years. Sardine distribution is seasonal and/or driven by ocean conditions. They range from Mexico to British Columbia, Canada and can be found up to 200 miles off the coast. The sardines landed into Washington are typically caught 10 to 35 miles off-shore. Otoliths are used to age sardines. In the inner ear of fish are two bones, called otoliths, that grow as the fish ages. Using a microscope, otoliths can be used to determine the age of the fish, similar to counting the rings on a tree. Weight Click to enlarge Click to enlarge Average weight of sardines landed into Washington State. Average weight of sardines landed into Washington by month for the 2002-2006 seasons. Length Click to enlarge Click to enlarge The average length of sardines and average weight of sardines landed into Washington by year. The average length of sardines landed into Washington by month and year. Age Click to enlarge The ages and sample size of sardines landed into Washington from 2002 to 2006. The following five pie charts depict sardine age classes in sardines landed into Washington from 2002 to 2006. Click charts to enlarge 2002 Sardine Ages 2003 Sardine Ages 2003 Sardine Ages 2005 Sardine Ages 2006 Sardine Ages