EDP Foundation collaborates in the repopulation of Asturian rivers
Fourty students between six and seven years of age from the José Bernardo de Sama de Langreo public school participate in the release of 4500 trout fingerlings in the Nalón river.The fish restocking campaign is carried out together with the Association of Fishermen and Friends of the Nalón River.
4,500 trout fry to repopulate the Nalón River. Fourty two children between six and seven years old from the José Bernardo de Sama de Langreo public school participated in a release of trout fry organized by the EDP Foundation in collaboration with the Association of Fishermen and Friends of the Nalón.
The little ones enjoyed a different kind of school day on the banks of the Nalón River. From there, helped by EDP Foundation staff and members of the Association of Fishermen and Friends of the Nalón, they learned about the region's river ecosystem and contributed directly to its conservation, releasing around 4,500 specimens of native trout measuring between 10 and 12 centimeters. “They are slippery, they move a lot and almost escape you,” commented Rogelio Heredia Díaz, 7, after releasing some specimens into the river. For classmate Olivia Gutiérrez Blanco, the experience was “a lot of fun” and the trout are “like hard jelly”. “This is a very awareness-raising activity for the new generations, who learn to take care of our planet starting with what is closest to them: a river they know and with a local association,” said her tutor, David González Guerrero.
Juan García-Ovies, executive director of the EDP Foundation, said: “Through this initiative we directly involve the youngest children in respecting the environment and reinforce our collaboration with fishermen's associations, supporting the restocking of fish in the Nalón and other Asturian rivers as part of the commitment to a just energy transition”.
“Seeing the river full of life and with the little ones is the reward for us, with this activity we close the campaign and it is always a very nice experience, one of the best of the year,” said Prudencio Marcos, president of the Association of Fishermen Friends of the Nalon.
In all, during the 2024 spawning season, the Nalón Fishermen's Association has released 80,000 trout fry with the support of the EDP Foundation. The fry released are the result of a complete cycle of spawning, embryonation, frying and rearing, starting with the association's own broodstock from the ichthyogenic center in Pola de Laviana. The whole process is supervised by the Consejería de Medio Rural y Política Agraria.
Previously to the trout release, where the students were able to learn about the characteristics of the specimens and the environmental importance of this type of fish farming in Asturian rivers, the schoolchildren participated in the training activity “Your Energy”, organized by the EDP Foundation. In this session, held at the José Bernardo school, the children learned about the importance of renewable energies for the energy transition.
The EDP Foundation has been actively collaborating for more than two decades in the repopulation of rivers and environmental awareness actions together with fishermen's associations. This activity is an example of the energy company's commitment to sustainable development and environmental protection in Asturias.