It can be concluded that although halophilic histamine forming bacteria were negligible in salt-dried sardines, the presence of a large number of halophilic cadaverine and putrescine forming bacteria could contribute to biogenic amine build up in the salt-dried fish. Furthermore, the critical stage of amine formation was observed at the initial stage of drying. Pseudomonas and Alcaligenes species were the major amine forming bacteria in the salt-dried sardines; although M. luteus was predominant during the salting process. However, sun-drying of salted sardines with over 10% NaCl and less than 40% moisture inhibited the growth of halophilic amine forming bacteria and thus retarded toxic amine formation.