The ORLEN Unipetrol Foundation, in cooperation with the Czech Angling Association, is continuing its long-standing initiative aimed at supporting biodiversity in the Bílina River this year. This time, pupils from the Jakub Arbes Primary School in Most took part in the traditional spring fish stocking. Together with fishermen, they released over 300 kilograms of various species of fish into the River Bílina. An accompanying programme was also prepared for the children, featuring various quizzes and puzzles focusing on the aquatic ecosystem. The stocking of the Bílina River near the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in Most has taken place regularly since 2010, always in spring and autumn. 

Every year, primary school pupils from the region take part in the traditional stocking. This year, 24 children from the first year of Jakub Arbes Primary School in Most joined in the event. “We are delighted to be able to continue this tradition again this year. Every year we involve children from a different primary school, and it’s always lovely to see how much they enjoy it. They learn lots of new things about the river and its wildlife, and every pupil gets to release a fish back into the wild with their own hands. It’s a lovely experience for the children, one they’ll remember for a long time,” says Lucie Pražáková, Director of the ORLEN Unipetrol Foundation.

Together with the fishermen, the children released over 300 kilograms of fish into the River Bílina. “Bream, roach, rudd, perch and pike were released into the water. We released approximately 50 kilograms of pike, zander, tench and perch alone, and there was even a small catfish; the remaining roughly 280 kilograms consisted mainly of white fish, such as the aforementioned bream, as well as roach, rudd and other species,” explains Jan Skalský, spokesperson for the North Bohemian Angling Association, adding: “It is a joy for us to see the enthusiasm with which the children release each fish and the connection they form with the river as a result. It is precisely their enthusiasm that proves to us that this work is meaningful and that they will continue to treat the river with respect in the future.”

Part of learning about the aquatic ecosystem is an accompanying programme prepared annually for the pupils by the Most Ecological Centre at the Environment Department of VUHU a. s. In an introductory talk by the fishermen, the children first learnt a great deal about the importance of water for life on Earth and the need to protect nature. Representatives from the Eco-Centre then prepared themed crosswords, quizzes and puzzles for them, focusing on life in our surroundings and the fish species found in Czech rivers. The aim of the whole event was to help the children understand the important role water plays in the ecosystem.

Since 2010, fish stocking in the Bílina River has taken place regularly twice a year, in spring and autumn. During this time, children and fishermen have released almost 13 tonnes of various fish species into the river. The most common species were roach, dace, bream, pike, perch and carp. Since last year, the ORLEN Unipetrol Foundation has been supporting the activities of local fishermen with an annual contribution of CZK 150,000, which enables the further development of care for aquatic ecosystems and life in the river.