The Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters USB has traditionally participated in the 33rd annual Vodňany Fishing Days on 15-17 May 2025 and offered visitors a varied programme. In addition to live fish and crayfish demonstrations, the faculty opened to the visitors the state-of-the-art scientific laboratories and fish farming workplaces, where they could learn about the current research and topics that the scientists of our faculty deal with.
The Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Biochemistry presented topics related to surface, groundwater or drinking water quality and protection. Children were able to try out pH measurements, making chromatographic butterflies or filtering polluted water as part of interactive activities, making the educational content accessible even to the youngest visitors.
In the Laboratory of Reproductive Physiology, an educational quiz was prepared for visitors to test their knowledge of fish species and their eggs. The programme also included an interactive demonstration of the cryopreservation process (freezing of cells and tissues at a liquid nitrogen temperature of -192 °C), observation of various specimens under a microscope and observation of sperm motility of different fish species with different reproductive strategies.
The Genetic Fisheries Center gave visitors a glimpse into the fascinating world of fish embryos, including the presentation of unique species able to survive outside the aquatic environment.
The International Environmental Educational, Advisory and Information Centre of Water Protection (IEEAIC / MEVPIS) Vodňany prepared popular educational programmes focused on climate change, which were intended mainly for primary schools. The Centre also hosted the Vodňany Kraken Board Game Club, which provided a wide range of board games for children and adults to try out. There were also art activities and a robotic memory game.
In the IEEAIC / MEVPIS premises, in the outdoor pavilion, there was also an exhibition of the "Photographic Atlas of Plants of the Czech Republic", whose creation is supported by the Dean of the Faculty, Prof. Tomáš Policar. For families with children, there were stations with colouring books and other creative activities, microscopes, a botanical quiz and additional educational elements that allowed active participation of all ages.
During the 33rd edition of the Vodňany Fishing Festival, nearly a thousand visitors visited our faculty and we thank them for their participation.
We would also like to thank everyone who participated in the preparation of this year's event.
Photo: website of the town of Vodňany, author: Karel Burda
