In order to initiate a fishery for the Pacificsardine, Sardinops sagax caeruleus, it is required that the spawning biomass be determined to have reached a minimum of 20,000 short tons. Data from ichthyoplankton surveys, sea survey cruises, the anchovy bait fishery,and jack mackerel purse seine fishery are analyzed for evidence of an increase in population size. The present level of the spawning population of the northern stocks ofsardines is determined to be far below the 20,000 tons required to initiate a fishery. (8pp.)