Use of rapid assessments of Humboldt penguin Spheniscus humboldti bycatch in Peru and Chile to help identify conservation priorities
Data files
Aug 08, 2025 version files 69.09 KB
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PenguinBycatch_Data_en1.xlsx
67.21 KB
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README.md
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Abstract
The Humboldt penguin (Spheniscus humboldti) is a vulnerable species endemic to the Humboldt Current System along the coasts of Peru and Chile. The species faces significant threats, including habitat loss, invasive species, contamination, climate change, and fisheries bycatch, all of which contribute to its declining population. This study assessed the bycatch of Humboldt penguins in small-scale surface and bottom gillnet and purse-seine fisheries using fisher surveys conducted across 39 ports in Peru and Chile. A total of 779 fishers were surveyed. Results showed an estimated total of 4,067 (± 889) penguins caught in 2023, with the highest bycatch associated with gillnets. Ports such as Tambo de Mora and San José in Peru and Coquimbo and San Antonio in Chile reported the most significant interactions. Spatial mapping demonstrated that areas with the most common bycatch events coincide with locations of larger penguin colonies. Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA) revealed that larger mesh sizes (3–5 inches) and certain target species, such as corvina drum (Seriolella violacea) and Peruvian grunt (Anisotremus scapularis), were strongly associated with bycatch events. This research underscores the urgent need for targeted conservation strategies, including bycatch mitigation measures, policy reforms, and bi-national collaboration.
Dataset DOI: 10.5061/dryad.63xsj3vc4
Description of the data and file structure
The data were collected through interviews with artisanal fishers from different ports in Peru and Chile to assess Humboldt penguin bycatch. Surveys were conducted with only one person per vessel between April and November 2023. For questions referring to "the last year" fishers were instructed to consider the previous 12 months.
Files and variables
File: PenguinBycatch_Data_en1.xlsx
Description: The file includes all information used for the submitted manuscript. We conducted a total of 779 interviews between April 2023 and October 2023 in different ports in Peru and Chile. Each question from the interview is detailed in the first row and may have 1 or more columns depending on the variety of answers. Missing values are indicated as N.A.
Variables per column
- A, B, and C. Date.
- D. Country where the survey was conducted. Categorical.
- E. Port, where the survey was conducted. Categorical.
- F, G, and H. Question 1. Type of gear used by the fisher and mesh size (inches). Categorical.
- I. Question 2. Target species. Categorical.
- J. Question 3. If they have Humboldt penguin bycatch. Categorical.
- K. Question 4. Which months are more common to see a penguin bycatch event? Categorical.
- L. Question 5. How many penguins have been bycaught in the last year? Categorical.
- M. Question 6. It says Yes when a fishers draw a polygon on the map to show the areas where more common to happen a penguin bycatch event. Categorical.
- N and O. Question 7. Condition of penguins during a bycatch event. Categorical.
- P and Q. Question 8. Fate of penguins after a bycatch event. Categorical.