Long-term perceptions of freshwater anglers about abandoned, lost or discarded fishing gear during their fishing careers

Abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) represents a significant pollutant in wetland ecosystems globally. While impacts of ALDFG are increasingly recognized as exacting a substantial toll on the world’s oceans, reliable data on freshwater ecosystems remain scarce. We explored the scale and causes of fishing gear loss in freshwater locations by engaging recreational anglers through an online questionnaire in Hungary. Respondents provided self-reported estimates of lost fishing gear over their angling careers and shared perceptions of the circumstances leading to these losses. From the total of 416 responses, 332 respondents provided data that we were able to analyse in detail. Results indicated that anglers who fished regularly reported greater fishing gear loss than older anglers and those who fished predominantly faster flowing waters. Using the self-reported numbers, we estimated that at least 126.0–196.2 million fishing gear items have accumulated in Hungary's freshwater ..., , # Long-term perceptions of freshwater anglers about abandoned, lost or discarded fishing gear during their fishing careers

Dataset DOI: [10.5061/dryad.7pvmcvf6k](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.7pvmcvf6k)

## Description of the data and file structure

The dataset originates from an online questionnaire survey conducted among recreational freshwater anglers in Hungary between 2007 and 2024. The aim of the study was to collect information on the loss of abandoned, lost, or otherwise discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) in inland waters.

The survey consisted of 35 questions divided into two sections: (i) socio-demographic characteristics and fishing practices of respondents, and (ii) detailed information on types, quantity, and circumstances of fishing gear losses. In total, 416 anglers participated, of which 332 provided complete responses suitable for statistical analysis.

The dataset includes:

* Respondents’ demographic and socio-economic characteristics (age, gender, occupation, fishing f..., The methods of building the online questionnaire obtaining data followed the International Society of Ethnobiology’s Code of Ethics (Ethnobiology I.S.O. 2006). No ethical committee permits were required.