New appearance of japanese sardine <I>Sardinops melanostictus</I> (Clupeidae) at the western coast of Sakhalin
Large number of japanese sardine were found beached in the intertidal zone of southwest Sakhalin in early October 2011. Size of the beaching and the died fish biomass and some biological parameters were estimated. Possible causes of the sardine coming ashore are analyzed. The most probable reason is the abrupt cooling in the coastal waters after cyclone passing. Mass sardine appearance at Sakhalin could be considered as a sign of its population recovery after deep depression.