The European sardine Sardina pilchardus(Walbaum, 1792) was sampled monthly (October 2000-September 2002), onboard the purse-seine fleet, at its main fishing ground (northern Aegean Sea) of the eastern Mediterranean Sea.
Sardine’s total length ranged from 9.1 to 17.3 cm.
Ageing analysis showed that the lifespan of sardine in the area may reach 5 years.