The Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters USB as a traditional co-organizer participated in the 32nd edition of the Vodňany Fishing Days (16th–18th May 2023) and offered visitors a varied and rich program. In addition to live fish, crayfish and other aquatic organisms, visitors could learn all about ongoing research, topics of interest to local scientists and see unique laboratory equipment. One of the faculty's "showcases" is the Laboratory of environmental chemistry and biochemistry, where people could also discuss topics related to inland waters, groundwater or drinking water quality and protection. Children could try their hand at measuring pH, making chromatographic butterflies or filtering polluted water.
In other laboratories, people watched interactive demonstrations of the cryopreservation process (freezing of cells and tissues at liquid nitrogen temperature of -192°C) or watched videos of sperm motility of different fish species with different reproductive strategies. They could also try to guess which species belonged to which eggs, or observe different slides under a microscope. In the Genetic Fisheries Center, sturgeon at all stages of development were on display. Also of interest were live carp eggs just before hatching or a carp roach. There was also a faculty stand on the square in Vodňany, where people could taste various aquaculture products.
A rich programme was also prepared in the faculty environmental centre (MEVPIS Vodňany), in front of which the mobile laboratory of the Biological Centre of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic was anchored, where scientists presented, among other things, research on trout within the project "Living jewels under the water surface of Šumava". In addition, the centre hosted the Kraken organisation, which prepared many board games for children and adults to try out on the spot.
Written by: Miroslav Boček
Photo by: Dana Brožová
