Apnaut
European sardine
Sardina pilchardus
Photo: This illustration was made by Citron You must credit this : Citron / CC-BY-SA-3.0 · CC BY-SA 3.0
The European sardine (Sardina pilchardus) is a common target in breath-hold spearfishing. It usually frequents open water and is found between 0 and 30 m, so it pays to adjust your search depth. It is it moves in schools, which shapes how to approach it.
It's an accessible catch, good for beginners. In Apnaut you have its minimum legal size across 3 different zones. Always check your area's current regulations before taking it.
Behaviour: it moves in schools.
Minimum legal size by zone
| Zone | Minimum size |
|---|---|
| Balearic Islands | 11 cm |
| North-East Atlantic | 11 cm |
| Mediterranean | 11 cm |
Where to catch it
Other names
Sardina (es) · Sardinha (pt) · Sardine (fr) · Sardina (it) · Sardine (de) · Σαρδέλα (el) · Srdela (hr) · Sardalya (tr)
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum legal size for European sardine?
It depends on the area. For example, Balearic Islands: 11 cm; North-East Atlantic: 11 cm; Mediterranean: 11 cm. See the full size-by-zone table above.
At what depth is European sardine found?
Usually between 0 and 30 m, mostly over open water.
Is it hard to spearfish on a single breath?
Its difficulty is “very easy”. It is also it moves in schools. In Apnaut you can log your catches and their size.
Log it in Apnaut
Add this species to your collection, log your catches with their size and check the legal minimum for your area, all from your phone.
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