This year, 18.5 tons of white and variegated silver carp were released into the Kremenchuk Reservoir, which covers Poltava and Cherkasy regions. For the first time, the stocking was carried out using funds from a special state budget fund, replenished thanks to auctions for the right to commercial fishing. Part of the proceeds will be used to restore fish stocks, the press service of the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine reports.

In 2025, the proceeds from the increase in the starting price of lots at auctions in the Kremenchuk Reservoir amounted to UAH 1.7 million. These funds were used to purchase fish seedlings and introduce herbivorous fish species.

In total, 18.5 tons of silver carp were released into the reservoir: 9.0 tons in Cherkasy region and 9.5 tons in Poltava region. The expected industrial effect of this stocking is predicted in 2–3 years and will amount to about 72 tons of marketable fish, which is several times higher than this year's stocking.

The importance of stocking is not only in replenishing fish stocks, but also in maintaining the ecological balance of the reservoir. Silver carp feeds on phytoplankton and helps to restrain the "blooming" of water caused by excessive development of blue-green algae. Since this species does not reproduce naturally in the Ukrainian climate, artificial stocking remains the only way to maintain its population.

Deputy Minister of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine Taras Vysotsky stressed that the auctions have proven effective as a tool for distributing fishing rights, as well as a mechanism for restoring fish stocks. For the first time, funds received through competitive bidding have returned to the reservoir in the form of stocking, which creates a transparent and modern model of resource management.

This approach not only increases natural resources, but also supports commercial fishing and provides regions with high-quality Ukrainian fish. In the future, such initiatives can become the basis for sustainable development of the fishing industry and strengthening food security at the regional level.