This paper deals with the occurrence and schol sizes of the Brazilian-sardine, Sardinella brasiliensis (Steindachner, 1879), in coastal waters of" Rio de Janeiro State (Brazil), during the years 1993-1997. The schools are more frequent and heavier in bay and surroundings of Grande Island; another area, with lesser importance, remains between the Cape of São Tome and surroundings of Cabo Frio, under influence of coastal upwelling. The heavier schools are found in April-June (autumn), soon after lhe reproduction period. The schools swim in surface waters with until 80 meters in depth. but more than 98% of them are restricted to waters until 50 meters; about 41% of schools are found in places of 10 - 20 meters, with clear reduction of their frequencies in higher depths; schools with more than 10 tons tend to swim in surface waters with 31-60 meters in depth. The schools reach the maximum size of 95 tons, but around 88% of them do not exceed the 15 tons; the smaller ones, with until 5 tons, correspond to almost 42% of those caught, with frequency reductions as increase their sizes.
Brazilian sardine; schools; Rio de Janeiro State; Brazil