This spring, 500 kilograms of fish were released back into the River Elbe. The traditional event is organised by Spolana in Neratovice in cooperation with local fishermen and the Most Eco-Centre, part of the Environment Department of VUHU a.s. The restocking of the River Elbe takes place regularly in spring and autumn, with children from local primary schools taking part. This year, 47 pupils took part in the event. Spolana has been supporting this initiative since 2013. During that time, more than 11 tonnes of native fish species have been released into the Elbe. The ORLEN Unipetrol Foundation has been providing financial support for the traditional stocking of the Elbe and Bílina rivers for several years.
Specifically, 29 third-graders from Tišice and 18 fourth-graders from Libiš got to experience what it is like to actively contribute to the restoration of the river ecosystem. The children helped release the fish directly into the river and had the opportunity to learn first-hand about their lives and their importance to the aquatic environment. “Stocking the Elbe with fish is, above all, an opportunity for us to show children that nature conservation can be understandable, practical and fun at the same time. We are delighted that local schools took part again this year and that the children were able to experience the whole process first-hand. It is precisely these kinds of experiences that help them build a relationship with nature and a sense of responsibility for the environment in which they live,” says Piotr Tomiło, Executive Director at Spolana.
Local fishermen, together with the children, released around half a tonne of fish into the Elbe. After an introductory talk on the life of fish in Czech rivers, the pupils were able to examine the individual species up close and then release them into the water themselves. Carp were the most common, but there were also tench and perch. Once returned to the river, the fish naturally disperse along the watercourse and, thanks to the weir chambers, can travel to more distant sections. Stocking thus contributes not only to strengthening the fish population but also to greater species diversity and the overall balance of the ecosystem.
The programme also included an educational session prepared by experts from the Most Eco-Centre. The children were introduced to the aquatic environment, its inhabitants and the importance of water for life in a playful way. “We prepared an interactive programme for the children focused on aquatic ecosystems. Through quizzes and practical activities, they expanded their knowledge, learnt to identify fish and other animals, and tested their sensory perception while searching for them,” explains Lucie Tichá from the Environment Department at VUHU a.s.
The project combines hands-on experience with learning and helps children build a relationship with nature. Personal experience plays a key role in helping them develop a long-term and responsible approach to environmental protection. In addition to stocking fish, Spolana also collaborates with specialist organisations and local communities.
SPOLANA s.r.o. is one of the leading chemical companies in the Czech Republic, producing sulphuric acid. It currently employs over 160 people. Since 2016, Spolana has been owned by the ORLEN Unipetrol Group, which is the largest refining and petrochemical company in the Czech Republic. It focuses on oil processing and the production, distribution and sale of fuels and petrochemical products – particularly plastics and fertilisers. In all these areas, it is a major player on both the Czech and Central European markets. The ORLEN Unipetrol Group comprises refineries and production plants in Litvínov and Kralupy nad Vltavou, the Paramo company in Pardubice, the Spolana company in Neratovice, and a research centre in Brno. ORLEN Unipetrol also operates a network of ORLEN petrol stations in the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary. ORLEN Unipetrol is one of the largest companies in the Czech Republic in terms of turnover. It employs more than 3, 300 people. In addition to business development, ORLEN Unipetrol prides itself on being a socially responsible company. It therefore devotes equal attention to initiatives focused on fostering and supporting sustainable development, education, local communities and the environment. In 2005, ORLEN Unipetrol became part of the ORLEN Group, which is the largest energy company in Central Europe.
Contact: Pavel Kaidl,
spokesperson, telephone: +420 736 502 520, e-mail: pavel.kaidl@orlenunipetrol.cz