An international fishing tournament organized by Russia’s State Energy Corporation ROSATOM ended on August 2.
The objective of the tournament was to strengthen international cooperation among the participating countries, as well as to demonstrate the safety of nuclear power plants for the surrounding water bodies, flora and fauna, said a press release on Wednesday.
The two-day tournament organized for the very first time was participated by Bangladesh, Hungary, India, Egypt, Turkey and host Russia, the countries where ROSATOM is implementing nuclear power projects.
Twenty amateur anglers took part in the competition, held in the Gulf of Finland, near Leningrad nuclear power plant, the largest operating nuclear power facility in Russia. Bangladesh was represented by Omar Ben Zulfiquer Haider and Md. Nadim Hasan Shovon from ‘Angling in Bangladesh,’ a renowned angling platform in the country.
Egypt became the champion in the competition held in PRO ANGLERS LEAGUE (PAL) format of the European boat spinning tournament. Russia and Hungary secured the second and third place respectively. Hungary also won a special award in the ‘Biggest Catch’ category. Another special award ‘Determination to Win’ went to Turkey.
Thanking the ROSATOM and Russian authorities Omar Haider said, “From the tournament I learnt how the local operators, anglers and clubs are working together to attract anglers from other countries to Russia. I will use the experience in organising similar event in Bangladesh."
"Fishing near a nuclear power plant is something new for me. I have noticed that fish are growing normally and they are safe for consumption as well."
Another participant Nadim Hasan in his comments said, “It was a unique experience to fish in front of a nuclear power plant. The fish we caught were healthy and radiation free. Now I am convinced that this kind of power generation does not have adverse impact on the surrounding ecology."
The event was also attended by ecologists who conducted dosimetric control during weighing of fish. “Studies over the years conducted by the Leningrad NPP within the radius of 30-kms of the plant has shown that there is no impact on the surrounding environment”, said Alexandra Tkacheva, Head of the Environmental Department, Leningrad NPP.
As part of the program, the participants also visited Leningrad Nuclear Power Plant, and were able to get familiar with the operation of the plant. It may be mentioned here that the Leningrad plant hosts a power unit with Generation 3+ VVER- 1200 reactor, which is considered as the reference projects of the under construction Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant in Bangladesh.
ROSATOM is the technical consultant and main equipment supplier of Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant. The Rooppur NPP will have two units, each with a VVER 1200 reactor.
As the global leader ROSATOM presently is implementing 36 nuclear power units in 12 countries across the globe and 6 in Russia itself.
