Neratovice, April 25, 2018 - Exactly 400 kg of fish fry were released into the Elbe River by the pupils of the Libiš Elementary School on the occasion of the Earth Day. Resilient fish species, especially European carp, tench fish, and grass carp, were supplied by the regional organization of the Czech Fishing Union in Neratovice. Fish planting was organized and funded by Spolana, which is part of the refinery and petrochemical group Unipetrol. Spolana’s cooperation with the fishermen has been on for five years. Together they have planted more than two thousand kilograms of fish so far.
"This year, we’re organizing two fish planting events. The spring event near Neratovice Railway Bridge will be followed by the autumn planting in November. This year we involved Ekoncetrum Kralupy which invited children from the Libiš Elementary School. Our help to nature has been amplified by the participation of around fifty children for whom it means an interesting experience," said Jacek Aliński, Spolana´s Chairman of the Board of Directors.
All planted fish are typical for this river. European carp, tench fish, and grass carp create a balanced community in the river which fulfils a number of environmental functions. „Given the size they grow up in the Elbe River, these species are a valuable catch for young beginning sport fishermen,“ explained Jiří Chrdle, Executive of the Czech Fishing Union’s local organization. „Our territory is often visited by cormorants who cause great damage to fish stocks especially in the river Elbe,“ he added. Despite this, the Czech Fishing Union is ready not to give up the efforts to maintain the fish population and to regularly plant fish in the Elbe River. Spolana too has its share in it. The cleanliness of the water around Spolana’s production area is proven by repeated fishing contests and regular monitoring of the state of the local fish population.
The Unipetrol Group has been cooperating with local fishermen also in the Most Region. Since 2010, over 5,000 kilograms of fish have been planted into the streams in the Ústí Region, especially in the Bílina River. In cooperation with ALKA Wildlife organization, it takes care of a couple of peregrine falcons nesting in Spolana’s premises. Surroundings of the production site, especially the final purification tank, are a popular haven for a number of protected and endangered animal species. The cleanliness of the site is proved by presence of river otter, European teal and river kingfisher, i.e. animals highly sensitive to quality of the environment.