Histological analysis was used to describe and analyse the process of ovarian atresia in sardine (Sardina pilchardus sardina) from the central Aegean Sea (eastern Mediterranean). The spawning potential of females in relation to intensity of atresia was evaluated and the rate that the ovary passed from the active to inactive condition was followed in fish collected over an annual cycle. Early postspawning females, defined as those with 100% alpha-atretic oocytes, occurred throughout the spawning period; they had lower gonosomatic and hepatosomatic index, but similar total length compared to reproductively active females.