North Bohemian anglers have released 500 kg of new fish into the River Bílina near the relocated Church of the Assumption of Virgin Mary in Most in the presence of third- and fourth-year pupils from the Third Primary School in Litvínov. The annual fish release takes place regularly in spring and autumn. It is part of a joint systematic fish-stocking project organised by the refining and petrochemical ORLEN Unipetrol Group, the Most Environmental Centre, and the Czech Angling Association since 2010. In total, they have released over ten tonnes of fish worth more than CZK 1 million. Schoolchildren from local schools have attended the fish release in the past few years, contributing to their learning about nature and cementing their relationship to it.
Third- and fourth-year pupils from the Third Primary School n Litvínov attended the autumn fish release near the relocated Church of the Assumption of Virgin Mary in Most. “The main objective of our joint project with the Czech Angling Association launched in 2010 is to revitalise the River Bílina. We stock fish into the river regularly twice a year. Local schoolchildren have attended the fish release several times thanks to our collaboration with the environmental centre. The children spend the afternoon in the fresh air and learn useful information about the environment and the world of water animals,” says Katarzyna Woś, Vice-chair of the Board of Directors of the ORLEN Unipetrol Group.
“We have introduced 500 kg of new fish into the Bílina together with the pupils. They learned all they could about life in the river, fish population structure, and how fish live and what they eat. The Bílina is now a new home to mostly white fish such as the roach, rudd, bream, and gudgeon. We have also added carp and eel to make it more varied. All these species create a balanced community in the River Bílina,” describes Jan Skalský, spokesman for the North Bohemian unit of the Czech Angling Association.
The project also involves an infotainment programme prepared for the students by the Environmental Centre in Most. Its representatives inform the children about the water realms and their inhabitants. “We have prepared a quiz for children about how water is important for the Earth and that there is a lack of water. Also, they could tell which fish species were released from pictures. Last but not least, they could test their gross motor activity by catching fish using magnets,” says Hana Matějková from the Environmental Centre in Most.
Stocking watercourses with fish to revitalise them and return varied life to rivers is part of the corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy. The ORLEN Unipetrol Group and the Alka Wildlife association also care for peregrine falcons that nest in the production sites in Litvínov, Kralupy nad Vltavou, and Neratovice. Over 40 chicks of this critically endangered species have hatched there since 2011.
The ORLEN Unipetrol Group has adopted social responsibility as one of its priorities in building a sustainable business plan. ORLEN Unipetrol takes an ethical and responsible approach to its activities, which is also why it implemented international CSR standards. It is committed to the ongoing development of the Group and its relations with local communities in education, social issues, and the environment. In 2021, total CSR expenditures amounted to CZK 19.36 million.
The ORLEN Unipetrol Group is the largest refining and petrochemical company in the Czech Republic. It focuses on crude oil processing and the production, distribution and sale of vehicle fuels and petrochemical products – particularly plastics and fertilisers. It belongs among the critical players in the Czech and Central European markets in all these areas. The ORLEN Unipetrol Group encompasses refineries and production plants in Litvínov and Kralupy nad Vltavou, Paramo, in Pardubice, Spolana in Neratovice, and two research centres in Litvínov and Brno. Unipetrol also includes a network of ORLEN Benzina filling stations in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. With 427 filling stations, ORLEN Benzina is the largest chain in the Czech Republic. Since its entry in 2019 to Slovakia, ORLEN Benzina has been one of the fastest-growing chains. ORLEN Unipetrol employs almost 5,000 people and is one of the largest companies in the Czech Republic. In 2005, ORLEN Unipetrol became a member of the ORLEN Group, the largest crude oil processor in Central Europe. The ORLEN Unipetrol is also active in corporate social responsibility. Therefore, it pays equal attention to initiatives that cultivate and support sustainable development, education, local communities, and the environment.