NIFS projected that sardine stocks of this year would decline modestly year on year. 

The projection came as the comprehensive result from NIFS's scientific research from February to May confirmed that the inflow of mother sardines and hatching in Korea decreased year on year. 

To identify the status of sardine stocks showing a surge since 2022, NIFS conducts monitoring with convergence detection technology and set nets. 

Based on the result of monitoring, it was identified that the domestic sardine stocks are entered through Tsushima Warm Current, and then spawn in the Korean waters, forming the stocks.