North Bohemian fishers have released 320 kg of original fish species into the River Bílina next to the relocated Church of the Assumption of Virgin Mary in Most. The Unipetrol Group together with the Czech Fishing Union and the eco-centre in Most organise the fish-stocking event twice a year, with the presence of children from local primary schools. However, the organisers had to do without pupils this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. A total of 8.2 tonnes of fish for CZK 800,000 have been released into the Bílina since the launch of cooperation in 2010.
The River Bílina runs through the most industrial part of the Czech Republic. Nonetheless, the purity of its waters has significantly improved over the past three decades. Regular stocking with fish is necessary to maintain its water ecosystem. “More than eight tonnes of fish have been released into the Bílina over the 11 years of cooperation between Unipetrol and the local fishers. The good condition and numbers of the local fish population is a positive indicator of water purity in the river. Besides the Bílina, Unipetrol and fishers also care for the Elbe where the fish is released in Neratovice near the Spolana facility,” comments Pavel Sláma, director of the EKO unit of the Unipetrol Group. This year, the fish-stocking event had to be held without pupils from local primary schools due to the coronavirus situation, he adds. Under normal circumstances, organisers arrange a hands-on event for the children who can also learn about the fish and the environment through games.
“Even though this is a challenging time, we as fishers are actively involved in the care for fish and our fishing grounds. We have released 320 kg of perch of various sizes and the so-called white fish into the Bílina. That means mainly roaches, rudds and bream. The River Bílina used to be seen as a dead watercourse due to the previous heavy pollution. That is why we are pleased that our joint efforts have helped revive it again,” says Jan Skalský, spokesman for the North Bohemian branch of the Czech Fishing Union.
The Unipetrol Group has adopted social responsibility as one of its top priorities when devising its plan of sustainable business. Unipetrol approaches its activities ethically and responsibly. Therefore, the Group has implemented international standards in corporate social responsibility (CSR), as well. It aims to provide for the permanent development of the Group and its relations to the local communities in education, social issues, and the environment. In 2019, the total Unipetrol’s CSR expenditure climbed by 67% to CZK 25.5 million.
Thhe Unipetrol Group is the largest refinery and petrochemical company in the Czech Republic. It focuses on crude-oil processing and on the production, distribution and sale of vehicle fuels and petrochemical products – particularly plastics and fertilisers. In all these areas, it belongs among the important players on the Czech and Central European market. The Unipetrol Group encompasses refineries and production plants in Litvínov and Kralupy nad Vltavou, Paramo with its Mogul brand in Pardubice and Kolín, Spolana Neratovice, and two research centres in Litvínov and Brno. Unipetrol also includes a network of Benzina filling stations in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. With 416 filling stations, Benzina is the largest chain in the Czech Republic. Unipetrol is one of the largest companies in terms of turnover in the Czech Republic. It earned CZK 129 billion last year and employs more than 4,800 persons. In addition to its business development, Unipetrol is proud to be a socially responsible corporation. Therefore, it pays an equal amount of attention to initiatives which focus on the cultivation and support of sustainable development, education, local communities, and the environment. In 2005, Unipetrol became a member of the PKN Orlen Group, the largest crude-oil processor in Central Europe.
For more information, please visit the “Responsible Company” section at www.unipetrol.cz.
Contact information: Pavel Kaidl, spokesman, telephone: +420 225 001 407, +420 736 502 520, e-mail: pavel.kaidl@unipetrol.cz