Sardine is a generic term applied to a number of different kinds of small saltwater fish which are prepared, cooked and packed in a special way. Sardines are actually canned herring and abundant in Sulu Sea, Clupea herengus herengus, local name malangsi. These fish travel in huge schools and live in the open seas.  The smallest of these herring, from 5 to 7 inches in length, are dressed and canned as sardines.