18.5 tons of silver carp were released into the Kremenchuk Reservoir. This herbivorous fish is beneficial to the health of the reservoir and remains an important food source for Ukrainians. The fry were released from the shores of the Poltava and Cherkasy regions.
According to the Ministry of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture, this is the first time such an initiative has been financed through auctions.
New financing mechanism
The right to industrial fishing acts as a lot at auction. This year, thanks to the increase in the starting price for fishing in the Kremenchuk Reservoir, the special fund of the state budget accumulated UAH 1.7 million. These funds were used to purchase fish and directly for restocking.
"For the first time, the funds received through competition at auction have been returned to the reservoir in the form of restocking. This is a fair, transparent, and modern model that strengthens the fishing industry, increases user responsibility, and creates a resource for future catches," commented Taras Vysotsky, Deputy Minister of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture of Ukraine.
Source: Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine
Impact on fishing and nature
More than 170,000 silver carp fry have been released into the reservoir. In just 2-3 years, this will increase the commercial fish stock by almost four times.
An additional and extremely important fact: silver carp and white carp are herbivorous fish. They feed on phytoplankton, in particular blue-green algae. These microplants cause the water to "bloom." However, a large population of silver carp is able to curb this process, thereby filtering the water.
Unfortunately, the Ukrainian climate does not allow this species of fish to reproduce naturally. That is why restocking is the only option that allows the population to be maintained.
EcoPolitic reported how activists from New Zealand sought to draw attention to ocean pollution through the creation of new “garbage fish” species.
