Next generation genomic sequencing of Pacific sardine reveals not one, but two species of sardine in the California Current in 2022 and 2023.
A genomic analysis of sardines led by research scientist Gary Longo revealed the unexpected presence of Japanese sardines along the U.S. West Coast, a species not previously documented there. In samples collected in 2022 and 2023, researchers found a mix of Pacific and Japanese sardines, with genetic testing confirming their identities. Previously, only Pacific sardines had been found in the region.
The arrival of Japanese sardines, likely influenced by recent marine heatwaves that created favorable habitats, raises many questions. The species may have crossed the Pacific due to warming waters. Scientists are unsure whether the Japanese sardines will persist or die out in this new range or whether they can interbreed with Pacific sardines.
Long-term monitoring and genetic sequencing are crucial for understanding the potential impacts of this discovery on sardine management in the California Current ecosystem. The finding may change how scientists view sardine distribution and responses to shifting ocean conditions.