Pacific Sardine
Sardinops sagax caerulea
Also known as Pilchard, California sardine, California pilchard, Sardina, Sardine
Culinary Profile
When fresh, small sardines have a delicate flavor. Larger sardines have a fuller, oilier flavor, similar to anchovies but milder. If buying fresh, look for sardines with bright eyes, shiny skin, and a mildly fishy aroma. Plan to cook them within a day of purchase.
Firm when canned; soft when fresh.
Sardines are a very good source of selenium and vitamin B12 and a good source of calcium, niacin, phosphorus, and omega-3 fatty acids.
Gastronomic Specifications
Biology & Habitat
Appearance
Pacific sardines are small. They are blue-green on the back and have white flanks with one to three sets of dark spots along the middle.
Biology
Pacific sardines are fast growing and can grow to more than 12 inches long. They can live up to 13 years, but usually not past 5. They reproduce at age 1 or 2, depending on conditions. Pacific sardines spawn multiple times per season. Females release eggs that are fertilized externally and hatch in about 3 days. Pacific sardines feed on plankton (tiny floating plants and animals).
Where They Live
Range Southeastern Alaska to Baja California, Mexico. Habitat Pacific sardines live in the water column in nearshore and offshore areas along the coast. They are sometimes found in estuaries. They form large, dense schools near the ocean surface. Pacific sardines move seasonally along the coast.
How to Buy & Source
Availability
Usually year-round, but currently unavailable because the fishery is closed.
Source
U.S. wild-caught from Washington to California.
Commercial Fishery & Harvest
The fishery was closed in 2015, and has not reopened. In 2014, more than 23,000 metric tons were harvested and were valued at $8.85 million. Round haul nets are used to catch Pacific sardines. Habitat and bycatch impacts are minimal because the gear is used at the surface around dense schools of fish, which usually contain only one species.
Nutritional Benchmarking Across 111 Species
Where Pacific Sardine ranks against the rest of the catalogue on each of USDA FoodData Central's per-100 g nutrient measures.
| Nutrient | Value | Rank | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protein | 24.62 g | 1 / 111 | 99% |
| Phosphorus | 490 mg | 1 / 111 | 99% |
| Choline | 75 mg | 4 / 65 | 94% |
| Iron | 2.92 mg | 5 / 111 | 95% |
| Omega-3 EPA | 473 mg | 10 / 104 | 90% |
| Selenium | 52.7 µg | 13 / 106 | 88% |
| Vitamin B12 | 8.94 µg | 16 / 106 | 85% |
| Zinc | 1.31 mg | 18 / 111 | 84% |
| Vitamin D | 4.8 IU | 19 / 54 | 65% |
| Omega-3 DHA | 509 mg | 32 / 104 | 69% |
Other West Coast Fisheries
Sustainable species managed out of the same regional fishery council as Pacific Sardine.
California Market Squid
Doryteuthis (Loligo) opalescens
Mild, and subtly sweet.
Lingcod
Ophiodon elongatus
A mild-tasting fish.
Northern Anchovy
Engraulis mordax
Canned or salted anchovies have a pronounced, salty tang, and fresh anchovies have a rich but subtle taste and a soft te…
Pacific Mackerel
Scomber japonicus
Rich with a pronounced flavor.
Pacific Whiting
Mercluccius productus
Mild and slightly sweet.
Widow Rockfish
Sebastes entomelas
Delicate, nutty flavor.
Similar by Flavour: Other Mild-Tasting Species
If you enjoy the mild flavour profile of Pacific Sardine, these other species in the catalogue will feel familiar on the palate.
Acadian Redfish
Sebastes fasciatus
Mild and slightly sweet. Redfish can be used as a substitute for haddock and similar fish.
Alaska Pollock
Gadus chalcogrammus
Pollock has mild-tasting flesh and is similar to other white fish like cod or haddock.
American Lobster
Homarus americanus
Mild and sweet.
Arrowtooth Flounder
Atheresthes stomias
Mild, sweet flavor.
Atlantic Bigeye Tuna
Thunnus obesus
Bigeye tuna has a mild, meaty flavor, with a higher fat content than yellowfintuna. Sashimi lovers prefer it.
Atlantic Cod
Gadus morhua
Atlantic cod has a mild clean flavor. It is sweeter than Pacific cod.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pacific Sardine a lean fish or a rich one?
At 208 kcal per 100 g raw, Pacific Sardine counts as rich on the fattiness spectrum — useful context when deciding cooking method (lean species suit poaching; rich species hold up to high-heat sear).
What else is Pacific Sardine called?
Pacific Sardine is also marketed as Pilchard, California sardine, California pilchard, Sardina, Sardine.
How much selenium does Pacific Sardine provide?
A 100 g raw serving of Pacific Sardine carries 52.7 µg of selenium, about 96% of the 55 µg daily value for adults.
How much Pacific Sardine is caught commercially?
The fishery was closed in 2015, and has not reopened. In 2014, more than 23,000 metric tons were harvested and were valued at $8.85 million. Round haul nets are used to catch Pacific sardines. Habitat and bycatch impacts are minimal because the gear is used at the surface around dense schools of fish, which usually contain only one species.
Sustainability Story
Stock Structure
Pacific sardine is overfished (2025 stock assessment), and is not subject to overfishing based on 2023 catch data. Summary stock assessment information can be found on Stock SMART . The population size varies naturally, which can lead to large fluctuations (boom-bust cycles) in abundance and catch.
Population
The stock is overfished, but the fishing rate established under a rebuilding plan promotes population growth.
Fishing Rate
The fishery is closed, but the stock is not subject to overfishing.
Habitat Impacts
The gear used to catch Pacific sardines is used at the surface and has little impact on habitat.
Bycatch
Bycatch is low because gear used is selective.
Management
NOAA Fisheries and the Pacific Fishery Management Council manage the Pacific sardine fishery. Managed under the Coastal Pelagic Species Fishery Management Plan : Catch limits are in place to prevent overfishing. Catch limit is allocated among three fishing seasons throughout the year. Permits are needed to harvest Pacific sardines.
Data Source: NOAA Fisheries
Nutritional Profile
per 100 g raw edible portion · 21 values
Energy
Macronutrients
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Vitamins
Minerals
Source: USDA FoodData Central (SR Legacy). %DV is percent of 2,000-kcal daily value for adults.
calendar_month Harvest Season
Frozen available year-round.