The result found that the average density of sardine populations in the southern coast of Korea*, a main distribution coastal area of sardine, was an over 40% decrease from the previeous year. The environmental DNA density** and the detection range decreased, too.

*Nautical Area Scattering Coefficient (NASC) (m²/nmi²): (’24) 6.9 → (’25) 2.5 / total range: 4,048㎢

**Environmental DNA density(copy/ml): (’24) 62.7 → (’25) 31.9 

In contrast, the density of appearance of sardine eggs* surveyed in the continuous underway fish egg sampling** increased around four times compared to the previous year. It is known that sardine spawn in the water temperature ranged 12-19℃, but in particular the possibility of egg appearance increased when the water temperature reaches 16℃. With water temperature in the southern coast of Korea in April of this year ranged 12-16℃, therefore, the appearance density and distribution range were analyzed to increase.

*The result of continuous underway fish egg sampler (CUFES) (unit/1,000m³): (’24) 62 → (’25) 258

**The continuous underway fish egg sampler (CUFES) is a device used to collect fish eggs while a ship is underway. It is designed to continuously sample fish eggs at a specific depth. 

*Domestic sardine catch (tons): (’21) 90 → (’22) 12,030 → (’23) 44,498 → (’24) 38,264

 Total sardine catch, January-May (tons): (’24) 12,686 → (’25) 14,028

**Total catch of coastal purse seine, January-May (tons): (’24) 3,108 → (’25) 137

   Total catch of large purse seine, January-May (tons): (’24) 6,040 → (’25) 11,667