Prague, April 22, 2016 – Unipetrol celebrated the Earth Day traditionally together with Czech Fishing Union (Český rybářský svaz) by releasing fish into the Bílina River. On Friday, April 22, a total of 300 kilograms of indigenous river fish species were planted with the help of pupils from ZŠ Hostomice (Hostimice Elementary School). Thanks to this, the common roach, common breach and ide population in the river will increase in number.

„We have been supporting the release of fish into the Bílina River for six years already and during this time we have planted thousands of fish into the river. Thanks to the involvement of pupils and young fishing club members, the project gained on top of that an important educational dimension within which it is possible to educate children with positive attitude towards nature and local ecosystem,” says Mikuláš Duda, Press Department Manager of Unipetrol RPA.

„We regularly monitor and evaluate the structure and quantity of fish populations in the assigned fish grounds, which also includes Bílina River. The results show that the fish quantity in different parts of the stream changes quite significantly. By the targeted planting of individual species in places of their reduced presence we replenish the fish population so that it fits the character of the watercourse. For today’s planting we chose common bream which is one of the most important species in medium-sized rivers of the giver trophy degree. Other species are rather complementary, especially for the opportunity to present as many fish species as possible to fishing and non-fishing youth. Working with children and youth is very important for the Czech Fishing Union and encouraging children to develop a positive attitude toward the environment, including broadening their knowledge is very socially valuable. For these reasons, we try to involve our youth as much as possible in the Union’s activities,” adds Václav Jelínek, treasurer in ČRS, z. s., Severočeský územní svaz (North-Bohemian Territorial Association).

The fish brought from the hatchery Fish farming facility Chabařovice, were released in three locations in different parts of the river in order to achieve optimal results in the fish population growth. Czech Fishing Union ( Český rybářský svaz) and Unipetrol have been cooperating in the project of fish stocking into the Bílina River since 2010. Ever since then, Unipetrol financed the project with the amount of 450,000 CZK.

Pupils of ZŠ Hostimice (Hostimice Elementary School) released the first part of fish at 10 o’clock in the morning in Hostimice near fire station, youth from fishing club in Ústí planted the fish at 2 o’clock in the afternoon in Stadice not far from Ústí nad Labem and at 3 o’clock the rest of the fish will be released into the river by fishing club from Most.