A new campaign to stock reservoirs, financed by local budgets, has begun in Ukraine. As part of the Cherkasy Region Fisheries Development Program, 415,000 silver carp juveniles weighing a total of 61.5 tons were released into the Kremenchuk reservoir.

According to the press service of the State Agency for the Development of Land Reclamation, Fisheries and Food Programs, the juveniles were raised at the Irkliyivsk nursery of herbivorous fish species, and the average weight of each individual was about 130 grams.

Head of the State Fisheries Agency Igor Klymenok emphasized that stocking has not only ecological but also economic significance:

> “This is an important investment in restoring natural fish stocks, maintaining ecological balance and strengthening the country's food security.”

A special role in this process is played by the silver carp, which is a natural water filter. Feeding on blue-green algae in the water column, this fish helps to combat mass algal blooms. One specimen of the white silver carp weighing 250 g is able to filter up to 32 liters of water per hour, which significantly improves water quality.

To ensure the safety of young fish, the Cherkasy Fish Protection Patrol of the State Fish Agency will intensify monitoring of the fish release area until the fry disperse throughout the reservoir.

Experts emphasize that such measures not only restore fish stocks, but also have a positive effect on the ecological state of water bodies, contributing to the stabilization of local ecosystems and the development of fisheries in the region.

The launch of the stocking campaign also stimulates support for local fishermen and industrial farms, creating additional jobs and contributing to the economic development of areas near reservoirs.