In order to initiate a fishery for the Pacificsardine, Sardinops sajax caeruleus, it is requiredthat the spawning biomass be determined to havereached a minimum of 20,000 short tons. Data fromichthyoplankton surveys, night-light surveys, theanchovy bait fishery and jack mackerel purse seinefishery are analyzed for evidence of an increase in the population size. The present level of the spawning population of the northern stocks of sardines is determined to be far below the 20,000 tons required to initiate a fishery. (14pp.)