Organized activity on rescuing fish from canals of HPP "Perućica"

After shutting down the system due to the beginning of regular annual overhaul of the HPP "Perućica", Elektroprivreda Crne Gore, in cooperation with Sports – Fishing Club "Nikšić", organized the activity on rescuing remaining fish in hydropower system "Perućica". The activity started yesterday at the time of discharging the water conveyance system. About 800kg of fish was taken out from canals and returned to their original habitat – Slano and Krupac Lake. The activity was monitored by Agricultural Inspector Mr Dragoje Međedović.

Secretary of Sports – Fishing Club "Nikšić", Mr Vlajko Simović said that the activity will take as much time as necessary for most of the fish to be returned to the original habitat. Simović stated that 3.2 tons of fish were rescued last year, while this year they will try to surpass this number, provided that the weather conditions are favourable.

Director of HPP "Perućica", Mr Dragan Čizmović said that EPCG, being socially responsible company, strives to contribute to preservation of the eco system in hydro-reservoirs, which is the aim of the concerned activity.

. – We have already taken actual steps to permanently resolve difficulties which occur regarding conservation of fish stocks in hydropower system "Perućica". We are considering installation of fish screens in order to prevent fish from ending up in the canal. We are in contact with several notable institutions whose experts visited the site, and they work on finding suitable technical solutions, Čizmović said.

This year EPCG involved NGOs "Ozon" and "Association of Young Ecologists Nikšić", which are engaged in environmental protection, in the activity of saving fish in canals of HPP "Perućica".

Mr Aleksandar Perović, Director of NGO "Ozon" said that it is their pleasure to be a part of the team which attempts to resolve the issue of conserving fish stock during the shutdown of HPP "Perućica" and expressed his satisfaction with the approach and manner of this year’s organization of activities on fish conservation.

– Hydro-reservoirs in Nikšić assumed the status of natural eco systems, and organization of the activity in this manner confirmed that all of us recognized the significance of the eco system in reservoirs which also have great tourist potential. Therefore, I believe that in the future all of us who are engaged in environmental protection will be able to get involved and make contribution in finding sustainable solution which would provide the best possible results, stated Director of NGO "Ozon" Mr Aleksandar Perović.

Regular annual overhaul of HPP "Perućica" started today, on July 29th, and total shutdown of the plant shall last up until August 31st. As the public has already been informed, apart from regular and usual overhaul works on equipment, facilities and intake system of HPP "Perućica", generators G5 and G7 shall be revitalized this year as well. Investment is valued at 1M€ and it shall be implemented in line with the Plan on rehabilitation and implemented public procurement procedure. Filling of the conveyance system, following finalized overhaul, is expected to take place on August 27th.