Fisheries dataset for the vulnerable seahorse Hippocampus ingens from small-scale fisheries in Peru (2002–2022)

This dataset contains interview-based information on the fisheries and bycatch of the vulnerable seahorse Hippocampus ingens in Peru. Data were collected through 382 semi-structured interviews conducted across 32 landing sites between August and December 2022, covering fishing activity from 2002 to 2022. Each row in the dataset represents a disaggregated observation (nd) corresponding to a unique combination of: fisher (Respondent_code) year (Year_effort_description) gear type (Type_of_gears) and associated fishing and catch characteristics As a result, a single fisher may appear in multiple rows, reflecting: use of multiple gear types reporting across multiple years variation in fishing effort and seasonality This structure allows detailed reconstruction of temporal, spatial, and gear-specific trends. The dataset includes information on fishing effort (e.g., haul duration, number of nets, fishing frequency), gear types, spatial variables (region, depth, distance from shore), and fisher-reported estimates of seahorse catch. Catch per unit effort (CPUE) was calculated using standardized effort variables. The dataset also includes variables related to trade, fisher perceptions of temporal trends, and reasons for changes in seahorse catch. This dataset supports the manuscript: “Caught between gears: Assessing the fisheries of the Vulnerable seahorse (Hippocampus ingens) in Peru.” The accompanying R script provides all steps used for data cleaning, standardization, and analysis. Personal identifiers have been removed to ensure respondent anonymity.